Monroe‑Gregg board adopts 2026 budget, approves $800,000 additional 2025 appropriation

The Monroe‑Gregg School District board on Monday adopted the district’s 2026 budget resolution and approved a separate $800,000 additional appropriation for 2025 operations, voting unanimously 3‑0 on both measures.

District staff walked the board through the resolutions before the votes. The presenter said the advertised overall tax rate shown in budget materials — 1.3324 — is an estimate submitted to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance and may be adjusted when the department issues the final figures. "Once again these are estimates, not our final budget," the presenter said.

Board members approved the annual school bus replacement plan and the capital projects plan, which lists planned projects with anticipated costs greater than $10,000 over a multiyear period. Staff described the bus plan as a long‑range (about 12‑year) replacement schedule and said the capital plan does not obligate the board to complete every listed project.

The presenter also explained the district’s authority to transfer up to 15 percent from the education fund into the operations fund for expenses not allowable from education‑restricted resources, saying the district typically uses the full 15 percent to support operations.

In separate business tied to budgeting and cash flow, the board approved a request for an $800,000 additional appropriation for the operations fund to be used during calendar year 2025 if needed; staff said the appropriation depends on available cash following the district’s second tax draw and does not require immediate spending of the full amount.

The meeting included routine approvals tied to district finances: a first‑quarter payment of $75,000 to MSD Wayne Township for special‑needs student placement, a $64,045 payment to Lee Company for middle‑school bleachers (paid from bonds), and roughly $26,370 for heating/cooling and plumbing contractor work, according to staff comments.

At the end of the budget discussion the board voted. Atkins, Elliott and Blundell — the three board members recorded in the minutes — voted in favor of the budget and the additional appropriation; both motions passed 3‑0.

The board also confirmed review of the district’s wellness policy and the Internet policy (which includes Children’s Internet Protection Act compliance) so the district can maintain eligibility for federal E‑Rate discounts.

Next steps: the presenter said the Department of Local Government Finance will review the submitted estimates and may require tax‑rate adjustments; the board did not take further action at the meeting beyond the approvals recorded.