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Trustees adopt tentative 2025-26 budget as district confronts declining enrollment
Summary
The board adopted the district's tentative 2025-26 budget amid repeated warnings about declining enrollment, a reduced contingency and growing special-education transfers; trustees directed staff to prepare a formal plan in case fund balance falls below policy thresholds.
The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the district's tentative 2025-26 budget.
Chief Financial Officer Sue Estes told the board the tentative budget reflects minimal line-item changes: the district did not make large amendments but removed the 1% contingency this year and is planning further adjustments as enrollment declines. Estes said per-pupil state allocations received recent revisions and cited an illustrative statewide base figure presented during discussion (figures discussed in the meeting included $10,006.22 and other per-pupil numbers as presented by staff). She noted transfers to the special-education fund have been significant in recent years and that the district may need to work with the Department of Taxation and the state Department of Education to finalize a restoration plan if the fund balance falls below the board's AR603 4% threshold.
Trustees asked for a formalized plan if the reserve drops below policy levels; Estes said the district would develop such a plan, and the board can give direction on timelines. Trustee Knighting asked whether the plan to return to a 4% fund balance would be presented formally and was told it could be.
Public comments on the budget included concerns about the loss of students to private or charter options and warnings that declining enrollment could lead to staffing reductions. Marty Swisher, a Gardnerville resident, urged approval of the tentative budget but warned the board to prepare for difficult staffing decisions should enrollment continue to fall.
Trustee Jansen moved to approve the tentative budget (with direction to file it appropriately with the state); the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. The board will receive updated and final figures in December when enrollment and state allocations are trued up and will revisit staffing and contingency decisions at that time.
Next steps: staff will file the tentative budget with the state as directed and plan additional budget discussions and a formal restoration plan if required by AR603.
