The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education on Jan. 12 approved a winter amendment to the district’s general-fund budget that uses roughly $1,500,000 of fund balance and leaves an estimated ending fund balance of about $9,700,000, or roughly 18% of expenditures.

Board members voted to adopt the amendment after a presentation from the district budget presenter, identified in the meeting as Miss Hodge, who told trustees the district is working with revised enrollment and revenue assumptions. "We are using about $1,500,000 of fund balance in this budget amendment," Miss Hodge said during the presentation.

The amendment reflects updated estimates including a blended enrollment of 3,443 students (a decrease of 25 from prior counts), a state foundation allowance set at $10,050 per pupil (an increase of $442 per student), a placeholder mental-health categorical allocation of about $560,000 and continued county enhancement millage funding of about $350 per student. Miss Hodge also said some federal allocations decreased and that many increases are categorical or one-time funds that do not change the bottom-line unrestricted balance.

The budget document includes a capital outlay placeholder that would allow the district to purchase up to five school buses; Miss Hodge emphasized the appropriation would permit future purchases without violating an approved budget, but said the purchase itself would be considered at a later meeting. "It would just give us the appropriation so that if the board did decide to do that, we'd be able to go ahead and approve the purchase," she said.

Board members asked clarifying questions during the discussion; trustees and staff confirmed the motion amends only the general fund and that food service and special-revenue funds were included in the packet for information but were not being changed. The motion to approve the general-fund amendment, moved by Laurie and supported by Jared, passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance
- Election of officers (slate: Brian Krajewski, Lori Cooner, Jennifer Doherty and a secretary): motion passed by roll-call vote (unanimous).
- Consent grouping (minutes, bills, committee memberships, new hire, legal services, auditor, etc.): approved by voice vote.
- Meeting schedule for Jan. 2026–Jan. 2027: approved by voice vote.
- Technical corrections to policies (name/position updates tied to hiring): approved by voice vote.
- General-fund budget amendment: approved by voice vote.
- Gift acceptance (artwork by Lainie Wester donated by Lori Kuna, $175): approved by voice vote.
- Motion to adjourn: approved.

Why it matters
The amendment updates the district’s fiscal plan based on more recent pupil counts, settled contract costs for teachers and staff, and late-arriving state budget information. Trustees and staff noted that a portion of the increased revenue is categorical or earmarked for bargaining and therefore may not affect general discretionary spending. Using $1.5 million of reserves reduces the district’s fund balance from about 22% to about 18% of expenditures, a change trustees said they are monitoring.

What’s next
Staff said they will continue to refine assumptions as additional state grant allocations arrive and will present a final amendment in June. If the board chooses to buy buses, a separate purchase recommendation will return for formal approval at a later meeting.