Forest Hills board hears 2024–25 budget pitch, adopts appropriations and approves contracts and hires

Assistant Superintendent Julie Davis presented the district’s proposed 2024–25 budget at the Forest Hills Board of Education’s July 20 special meeting and answered prolonged questions about grant expirations, staffing and fund‑balance projections. After presentation and discussion, the board individually considered and approved amendments and appropriations, several facilities contracts and a slate of administrative hires.

Davis told the board the budget uses current state proposals and local estimates while the Michigan Legislature’s conference committee completes action. "We are going with the governor's $2 per pupil increase to the foundation allowance," Davis said, adding that for Forest Hills that equates to roughly $2.1 million. She also said the district projects an enrollment decline of about 145 students, a loss of roughly $1.4 million, which produces a near‑term net revenue gain in the draft of about $700,000 after those two items are combined.

Davis warned that federal ESSER funding will largely drop out of next year’s revenue picture: "ESSER III will be ending at 09/30/2024," she said, and estimated approximately $5.4 million of…