Board approves draft FY2027 budget and modest class‑size adjustments in allocation formulas

Boone County — The Boone County School Board approved the district's draft fiscal year 2027 budget and voted to adjust staffing allocation formulas that slightly reduce K–5 class sizes and modestly raise 9–12 ratios.

Treasurer Daryl Denham presented the draft budget, noting assumptions used for planning: no change to local tax revenue estimates, a conservative reduction in expected SEEK funding versus the prior year, removal of open purchase orders, and a 4% wage increase assumption. The draft contains an initial projected imbalance (identified in the meeting as approximately $36.27 million), which Denham described as a placeholder reflecting variables to be clarified during the budget revision process. He said department worksheets will be reviewed and expense budgets refined to bring the plan into balance.

On allocation formulas, the board approved a recommendation to lower K–5 classroom ratios by one student each (for example, K–3 class sizes moving from 24 to 23 and reductions in grades 4 and 5) while increasing the 9–12 ratio by one. Administrators said the net change is incremental and informed by principal feedback; the board retained an additional elementary teacher add‑on previously approved. The administration estimated the per‑teacher cost used in calculations (average certified teacher cost approximated at $72,200) and explained the staffing formula implications.

Board members asked for clarification on redlined documents and expressed interest in better visibility into the budgeting assumptions; administrators committed to continued review and shared worksheets with schools and departments. Both the draft budget and allocation changes were approved by unanimous vote.

The draft budget will return to the board for further review as revenue and expense details are refined.