Ferguson‑Florissant board approves October disbursements and a budget amendment aimed at reducing deficit spending

The Ferguson‑Florissant School District Board of Education voted to approve the district’s October disbursements and a revised budget amendment after presentations from district finance staff on December 9, 2025.

Mr. Chance presented the disbursements report for October 2025, listing payroll of $12,253,678.62 and operational disbursements of $3,268,489.48 for a total monthly expense of $15,522,168.10. He reported year‑to‑date revenues of $26,852,488 and total expenditures to date of $40,174,969. The board moved to approve the disbursements report and agreed by voice vote.

In a separate presentation Mr. Chance outlined assumptions behind a recommended budget amendment for the 2025‑26 fiscal year. The amendment reflects updated local tax projections (an approximate $3,241,000 increase in current taxes), one‑time federal ESSER reimbursements (described as just under $2.4 million), and expenditure adjustments including salary and benefit updates, virtual teaching contract costs and administrative substitute pay. He noted coding inconsistencies in current payroll reports that temporarily shift some salary amounts between certified and administrator line items and said those will be corrected in future amendments.

Under the proposed amendment the district’s projected ending fund balance as of June 30, 2026, was presented as $17,798,630, or about 12.29% of budget. Administration said the district remains short of a recommended minimum unrestricted fund balance (the administration noted a 20% minimum would require additional savings of roughly $12 million).

Board members asked several clarifying questions — including reconciliation timing for audit purposes and whether the federal funds were fully received — and administration confirmed the ESSER reimbursements had been received via DESE and that reconciliations were complete through July 2025. After discussion the board moved and approved the budget amendment by voice vote.

The board president and superintendent framed the amendment as part of ongoing efforts to stop multi‑year deficit spending and improve the district’s fiscal position. The motion passed; no precise roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting record beyond the voice vote.