The Madison County Board of Education voted to adopt the district’s 2024–25 working budget following a presentation by Mark Woods, who told the board this was the third time members had reviewed the draft.

Woods said the budget relies on beginning fund balances and carryovers and reflected a roughly $1 million drop in assessments compared with the prior year. He told the board the district would hold motor vehicle tax estimates steady and project utilities tax revenue at $5.5 million. "This is the working budget. This is the 3rd time you've actually seen this budget," Woods said as he summarized revenue assumptions and changes.

Woods said the district is projecting a $909,000 reduction in SEEK funding compared with the tentative budget and noted a one-time tier 1 adjustment of approximately $1,260,000 that he said the district should not expect to recur. On contingency, Woods recommended maintaining a healthy balance and set contingency at $11,900,000, describing it as about two months of payroll and necessary for cash-flow in the months when state and grant reimbursements lag.

On expenditures, Woods said most adjustments were driven by staffing changes tied to a recently approved raise package and by timing of grant and ESSER spending. He noted a $661,000 adjustment in instruction funded in part by restored operating funds related to the district’s takeover of a technical center.

Board members asked clarifying questions about contingency and bonding capacity; Woods estimated bonding potential at roughly $90,000,000 but said he would confirm precise figures with district leadership. After discussion, the board approved the working budget by voice vote.

The board's approval sets the working budget in place as the district continues through statutory budget deadlines; Woods said figures will be refined as final assessments, grant awards and reimbursements are finalized.