Aberdeen board approves 2025 final budget changes and annual levy request

The Aberdeen School District 06-1 board approved final changes to the 2025 budget and adopted the annual budget resolution and tax-levy request at its Sept. 22 meeting.

Mikayla, the district finance director, told the board the update included one revenue-side change — an increase in Title funding — and several expenditure changes: federal Title II grant expenditures added to the draft, capital outlay increases because of unspent prior-year allocations, and lower special education spending tied to staffing changes. She reported that the general fund deficit is projected at about $771,000 and the special education budget is projected at about $163,000.

"The general fund deficit is projected to be about 771,000," Mikayla said, and added, "I do expect the actual deficit to be lower than this." During discussion a board member noted the budget includes a roughly 1% salary increase for staff; another speaker noted the state contribution was 1.25%.

An unnamed board member moved to approve the 2025–26 budget changes and the final budget; the motion was seconded by Murphy. The board approved the motion by voice vote. The board then separately moved and approved the budget resolution and the annual budget levy request by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the public record.

Mikayla emphasized fund-balance rules for the general fund and special education: each fund’s balance is subject to limits (no more than 25% of expenditures is the limit referenced). She also reminded the board that tax amounts and levies are set by the state.

The board adjourned after approving the budget items.