Superintendent previews preliminary 2025–26 budget showing $1.4 million shortfall; textbook and Chromebook plans outlined

The district's preliminary budget for 2025–26 projects a $1.4 million gap between revenue and expenditures and flags uncertainty tied to state-level actions and categorical line-item changes.

The superintendent said the governor's proposed $3.92 per-student foundation increase equates to about $1,900,000 for Caledonia, but that the proposal would eliminate a reimbursement line currently received by the district, creating an approximate $1,800,000 negative impact on revenue. "In that third column, we are looking at bringing in 70,300,000 in revenue, 71,700,000 in expense. So that would be a 1,400,000 shortfall," the superintendent said, adding that the district currently projects a 9.3% fund balance under the preliminary numbers.

On expenditures the superintendent noted staffing is the largest category and that several employee-group contracts are due for negotiation; the budget assumes step increases but not percentage-scale raises. Insurance costs were projected to rise about 5% based on employees' enrollment choices.

Separately, staff previewed curriculum and instructional items: three new high-school courses (AP Economics macro and micro, AP Geography, and Forensic Science) will have associated materials available for a 30-day public review before board adoption in May. The district also intends to seek a board vote in April on a planned Chromebook refresh; the district typically replaces roughly 20% of devices annually through a statewide cooperative purchasing arrangement (REMC) with final pricing expected on April 16.

The superintendent said another budget amendment is planned in June and audited numbers will be available in the fall; board members were told the deficit is likely to narrow as additional information becomes available.