Superintendent outlines budget outlook: state aid partially covers a 3% raise; board to review superintendent's recommended budget in March

Dr. Nichols and budget staff provided the board with an overview of the superintendent’s budget timeline, assumptions and early figures. Staff described recent community and school budget forums and said they will present the superintendent’s recommended budget for a first read on March 3, with the county manager’s proposed county budget following on March 10.

Finance staff said the division’s current estimate of additional state revenue is about $728,527, of which roughly $500,000 is tied specifically to the state compensation supplement. "The additional State revenue we're receiving is about $728,527 and about $500,000 of that is specific to the compensation supplement," staff said. At the same time, staff estimated that providing a 3% pay increase to all staff would cost about $1,045,730, creating an approximate half‑million dollar shortfall the division will need to address in its operating request to the county.

Staff also said position requests submitted across the division currently total about $3,100,000; the requests will be prioritized and not all will be funded in the coming year. Several requests are focused on special-education supports, paraprofessionals, instructional coaches, and targeted school leadership (including a proposed assistant principal at the high school). The division plans to budget conservatively and to hold a small superintendent’s complement (one or two positions) in reserve to respond to unanticipated enrollment growth.

Regional-program costs were also discussed: for example, Bridging Communities currently has just under 100 students while the division funds 73 seats; if the district purchases additional seats the cost increase was estimated to be in the low five‑figure range (staff cited roughly $45,000 to $66,000 depending on the final arrangement). Staff noted some technology and safety investments have been supported by grants this year (for example, Simple Discipline) and highlighted large purchases already completed, including deployment of 3,500 Chromebooks and 400 staff devices.

The board did not take formal budget action during the meeting; staff will return with the superintendent’s recommended budget for deeper review and discussion in March and will then present recommended operating requests to the county.