Union board approves FY24–25 budgets and $174.2M general‑fund authorization in estimate of needs

The Union Board of Education voted to approve the district’s FY24–25 estimate of needs and operational budgets after a presentation by Doctor Williams and district finance staff. The estimate of needs, prepared with external auditors Bledsoe, Hewitt & Gullickson, sets the district’s maximum appropriations by fund and includes a sinking fund millage of 29.66 mills.

Doctor Williams outlined the proposed general‑fund revenue budget of $152,204,605 and projected expenditures of $152,986,548, which would leave an estimated general‑fund balance of about $17.9 million (roughly 11.8% of expenditures) at year‑end. He said the budget reflects a 2.4% average salary increase and the addition of 19 full‑time positions, primarily teachers, and that the phase‑out of ESSER federal funds contributed to a smaller general fund compared with recent years.

The presentation also described the building fund (supported by ad valorem property taxes and Redbud state funding), and a child nutrition budget with proposed revenue of $12,270,822 and expenditures of $15,718,993 to draw down accumulated reserves and encumber commodity purchases.

After board discussion and a roll‑call vote, the board authorized submission of the estimate of needs to the county excise board and approved the operational budgets. Doctor Williams credited his finance team (Jessica Wright, Sarah LaRue and Valerie Bobrink) for preparing the documents.

The action completes the board’s required statutory filing and establishes the fiscal limits for subsequent budget approvals and encumbrances.