Bloomfield Hills board approves FY26 budget amendment and several operational purchases

Bloomfield Hills Schools trustees on Monday approved a fiscal‑year 2026 general‑fund budget amendment that recognizes roughly $5.5 million in additional state and grant revenue and raises planned expenditures by about $5.4 million.

The amendment, presented by budget lead Candace Moynihan, reflects state pass‑through allocations, new educator compensation and literacy grants, and adjustments tied to recent contract settlements. Moynihan said the district now expects to recognize a districtwide full‑time equivalent enrollment of about 4,914 students and a foundation allowance of $13,840 per pupil, an increase of $392 per pupil.

"We are in a structural deficit," Moynihan told the board, outlining that expenditures for salaries, benefits and purchased services rose to accommodate settled contracts and increased staffing needs in special education. She said the amendment modestly improves the district's projected operating position, with an estimated year‑end fund balance of about $22.6 million, roughly 20 percent of expenditures.

Trustees discussed longer‑term enrollment declines, birth‑rate impacts and the need to align spending decisions with the district's strategic plan. Trustee discussion emphasized using attrition and programmatic alignment to limit impacts to classroom experience.

In a pair of related operational votes, the board approved a backup and disaster‑recovery system for $283,802.65 and an E‑rate bid pack (T10) for $229,878.41; both purchases will be paid from the sinking fund. The board also approved a slate of new and revised Bloomfield Hills High School courses for 2026‑27.

The budget amendment passed 6–0. The purchase approvals and curriculum changes each passed unanimously as well. Board members said the votes reflected prior committee review and staff follow‑up.