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Midyear update: Minimum School Program projects $138.9 million positive balance; staff outline options to meet 5% reduction target
Summary
Legislative staff told the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee the Minimum School Program is now projected to have about a $138.9 million positive balance for FY2026, a $12 million upward revision. Staff reviewed causes (property tax and levy behavior, enrollment patterns) and explained tools—non‑lapsing balances, prefunded stabilization dollars, and program trims—being considered to meet a requested 5% reduction planning target.
Sam Urie, school finance director, told the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee Thursday that midyear updates using actual October 1 student and educator counts show the Minimum School Program is now projected to have a balance of roughly $138,900,000 for FY2026, about $12 million more than earlier expectations.
"We're right now projecting a balance of about 138,900,000.0 for the minimum school program this year," Urie said during the presentation. Staff attributed most of the improvement to savings in the basic school program and in the voted/board local levy equalization program, while noting offsets from charter enrollment changes.
Why it matters: the midyear review compares earlier projections to actuals so lawmakers can identify pressures and…
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