Richland-Bean Blossom board warned of multi-year shortfall; special-education placements cost nearly $1 million a year
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Summary
The Richland-Bean Blossom school board heard projections that the district could lose roughly $900,000–$1,000,000 in operations funding starting in 2026 and that two private special-education placements will cost the district almost $1 million per year, with SEEK reimbursement covering most of that amount.
At a Feb. 17 meeting of the Richland-Bean Blossom school board, district business manager Paul Federle presented a three-year financial plan that flagged significant revenue loss starting in 2026 and urged officials to monitor beginning and ending balances closely.
Federle warned that changes enacted by the legislature could mean the district will "lose 900,000 to 1,000,000 dollars in your operations fund," requiring planning for 2027 and 2028. Board member Brad Tucker noted the district faces roughly a $1,000,000 overage across the next three years and that potential town reorganization could add additional costs.
RBB director of budget and finances Debbie Tate and director of special education Noah Dixon reported that two students in private special-education placements currently cost the district almost $1,000,000 per year. Dixon said the state SEEK reimbursement offsets much of that expense, citing a figure of $877,000 that reduces the district's net payment.
Board members asked how the district will afford these costs; state-level discussion of special-education reimbursement was reported, but a committee chair told local officials there was "nothing the state can do this session." The transcript records discussion and guidance but no board-level votes on budget adjustments during the reported segment.
