Academy District 20 board accepts proposed 2025–26 budget and approves 3.5% salary package
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Summary
The Academy District 20 Board of Education accepted the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget and approved a salary package that raises the base pay for existing staff 3.5% (2% recurring, 1.5% nonrecurring) and increases starting teacher pay to $52,020. The vote on both the budget and salary package was unanimous.
The Academy District 20 Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget and to approve a salary package for employees at its regular meeting.
Deputy Chief Financial Officer Becky Allen presented the proposed budget, telling the board the district estimates about $7.38 million in new available resources next year and plans to use roughly $2.18 million of fund balance to cover remaining costs. Allen said the budget rests on three main variables: enrollment, per-pupil revenue and assessed valuation. She confirmed the per-pupil revenue number in state legislation at $11,035.35 and said the district is planning conservatively on enrollment while the state transitions enrollment-averaging rules.
On compensation, Allen said the salary package would deliver a 3.5% increase on average for existing staff, split into 2% recurring and 1.5% nonrecurring increases, and raise the starting teacher salary from $51,002.50 to $52,020. Allen summarized the district’s rationale: “The most significant aspect of our budget is salaries and benefits. In fact, we’re just over 70.2% of our general budget.” She also described benefit‑cost pressures, noting Kaiser premiums rose about 8.4% and the district is adopting a 50/50 premium cost share for health and dental increases.
The board debated timing and fiscal context before voting. Board President Shandy called for the motion to approve the proposed budget (Resolution 2 17 25); Superintendent Haber moved the motion and it was seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Missus Conn’s, Mister Wilburn, Missus Yanez, Mister Salt, and Missus Shandy voting “Aye.” Later the board separately approved the salary component (Resolution 2 18 25) in a unanimous roll-call vote.
What happens next: the board accepted the proposal as the district’s proposed budget; a formal budget hearing and the adoption vote are scheduled for the June 12 meeting. Budget documents will be made available to the public and the district plans to publish notices and hold the hearing as required.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2 17 25 (accept proposed 2025–26 budget): Moved by Superintendent Haber; seconded (noted in meeting); roll-call: Missus Conn’s — Aye; Mister Wilburn — Aye; Missus Yanez — Aye; Mister Salt — Aye; Missus Shandy — Aye. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 2 18 25 (approve salaries for FY 2025–26): Moved and seconded during the meeting; roll-call as above. Outcome: approved.
Budget context and key figures - New available resources: approximately $7,381,100 (presented by Deputy CFO). - Planned use of unassigned fund balance: about $2,180,000 to cover part of the package. - Starting teacher salary under the proposal: $52,020 (up from $51,002.50). - Proposed pay increase for existing staff: 3.5% total (2% recurring, 1.5% nonrecurring).
The district said it will re‑visit assumptions at the midyear true‑up once final enrollment and assessed-valuation figures are known.
