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Budget update: Pulaski expects $325 per-pupil increase and higher special-education reimbursement but federal Title funds remain uncertain
Summary
District staff told the board the state enacted a $325 per-pupil adjustment for two years and special-education reimbursement is set to rise (to 42% and then 45%), improving the draft budget; staff warned federal Title funds could be reduced and said the district will monitor and possibly backfill cuts with local dollars.
At the workshop, Mark (Speaker 10) briefed trustees on state budget decisions and what they mean for the Pulaski Community School Districts draft budget.
State action includes a $325 per-pupil adjustment that will apply for the next two years. The districts current draft shows roughly $56.7 million in revenue and expenditures; staff said an expected 3% increase in the revenue limit (driven by property values and student counts) could offset levy pressure but acknowledged general state aid did not increase.
Categorical-aid changes were highlighted as important to the district. Mark said special-education reimbursement rates are scheduled to rise from roughly 30% toward 42% this year and 45% the following year, which reduces the transfer from the general fund and improved the draft budget balance.
Staff also cautioned that federal Title funding remains in flux. Jenny (Speaker 2) explained how Title I supports three learning-support teachers, Title II allocations have been reduced over time (historically around $70,000), Title III is modest (about $6,400 this year) and Title IV allocations are small. The district has previously backfilled cuts with local dollars to avoid reducing student services and said it may do so again if necessary.
On Act 20 reimbursements, staff submitted claims for certain curricular purchases and training (for example, $12,000 for decodable HMH books with a possible 50% reimbursement and $16,500 for revised teacher editions). The district also sought reimbursement for diagnostic-screening use (MIRA), but the portal limited claims to students at or below the 25th percentile, producing a $3,600 request for 242 students.
Staff said many items remain uncertain and will be monitored; the board was not asked for immediate budget adoption and will receive a further update at the next meeting.
