At the Nov. 20 meeting the Francis Howell R-III finance and facilities teams gave updates that combined routine fall adjustments with warnings about potential revenue shocks and a progress report on bond- and capital-funded projects.

Finance director Dr. Amy St. John reported that November’s budget package includes an approximately $245,002.45 net change for the month and a large $20,000,000 expenditure tied to recently completed projects. She walked the board through assumptions used in projections — a 2% local-tax increase assumption, a 3% salary change, 8% benefits — and said the district’s current fund-balance projection sits near 27.59%. St. John also flagged a pending lawsuit and a potential state action on property taxes that could materially affect reserves: "With that decrease of $4,000,000 based upon the current state... that would bring it down to the 6.55%," she said in the presentation.

Executive director Saloon Stuntzer delivered a construction update: the Henderson storm-shelter/gym addition was turned over for building use; Fairmount exterior masonry and storm-rated windows are nearly complete; transportation-site work (including a fuel island and underground-tank inspections) is advancing; the Francis Howell High auditorium renovation is finished with capacity increased from about 225 to 396 and added ADA spaces; and the district has ordered mechanical equipment for phase-2 projects with lead times of up to six months. Stuntzer noted ongoing coordination for bleacher replacement at Sager and Hollenbeck and that final work will continue through winter break.

Board members asked specific follow-up questions about the employee insurance fund and the timing of detailed reports; St. John said the employee-insurance committee will provide a deeper report in December and administrators will present additional budget scenarios next month.

What’s next: Administration will provide December budget detail and the board will consider those scenarios; several capital projects remain active and staff will advise on timing for remaining work and procurement lead times.