Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews 2026–27 budget assumptions; options could flip a projected $522,000 deficit to a surplus
Summary
Finance staff projected a base‑model deficit of about $522,000 for 2026–27 if no open‑enrollment seats are added, but two modeled options that add open‑enrollment seats show surpluses of $217,000 and $236,000. The board discussed staff‑maintaining versus staff‑reducing open‑enrollment scenarios and possible levers to balance the budget.
Jonathan, the district finance presenter, told the board the base projection for 2026–27 shows a potential deficit of $522,000 if open‑enrollment seats are not added and current staffing is rolled forward.
"Towards the middle of the end of the projection, you see that a base scenario shows a deficit of 522,000," Jonathan said, laying out assumptions including a projected 48‑student membership decline and a 2.5% decrease in state aid equal to about $543,000.
He described two modeling options that assume open‑enrollment seats are filled: Option 1 shows a $217,000 surplus; Option 2 shows a $236,000 surplus. The presentation included assumptions of a $325 per‑pupil revenue limit increase, a 3.5% budgeted salary pool, a 5% projection for health and dental increases, and other operating assumptions.
Board members discussed open‑enrollment options presented by administration: Option A (reduce staff to match resident enrollment), Option B (add seats to preserve staffing and increase revenue), and Option C (raise class‑size minimums for 4K and kindergarten). Several board members expressed a preference for Option B to maintain class‑size consistency and continuity; administration said it would bring the formal recommendation to the Jan. 26 meeting.
Jonathan also reviewed potential levers to manage tax levy impacts, noting the board could consider debt prepayment or use of funds from TID closures to temper levy increases. He said without using levers the model results in a tax levy increase closer to $1 million from the current year, whereas using planned levers could reduce the immediate levy impact.
The board asked for continued refinement of projections and incorporation of open‑enrollment direction at the next meeting.
