Board tables FY2025–26 budget, schedules workshop after member requests

Dr. Thomas presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget, describing priorities (student achievement, staff support, maintaining small class sizes, technology and facilities), revenue constraints tied to state and federal funding, and inflationary cost pressures. He noted contracted services have increased roughly 15–18% and that the district budget includes a $200,000 contribution to buy down staff health insurance costs; the proposal did not alter the salary schedule and included a modest step increase for eligible employees.

After questions about revenue assumptions, facilities costs, and staffing reductions (Dr. Thomas said the district has reduced about 15 positions over the past years), board member speaker 2 moved to table approval so the board could hold a dedicated budget work session to allow deeper review and additional community education. The motion was seconded by John. The board agreed to hold the workshop on June 10 at 5:30 p.m. The motion to table was recorded in the livestream as passing (the transcript records the line 'That passes 5 to 6' in relation to tabling and scheduling); the fiscal year budget was not approved at this meeting.

Board members emphasized the need for transparency and more time to review line items and community-facing explanations of potential tax implications. Dr. Thomas acknowledged the district will continue to monitor state budget actions, including the recently passed state budget awaiting the governor's signature, and will return with more detail at the workshop.

Next steps: the board will convene the budget work session before the next regular meeting and revisit final approval then.