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Board reviews revised budget, sets enrollment and state-aid assumptions and retains class-size guidelines
Summary
Board members heard a revised 2025 budget showing both positive fund activity in some funds (food service, community ed) and projected general-fund pressure; the board approved enrollment at 3,101, set state-assumed CPI at 2.4% and approved keeping current class-size guidelines.
The Princeton Public School District board received a revised budget presentation showing mixed results across funds and then approved three budget parameters the finance committee recommended.
Finance staff reported food-service revenue of about $2.8 million and expenses near $2.5 million, producing a positive variance the staff said would need a plan to spend down within statutory fund-balance limits. Community education and preschool funds were reported in positive positions; the revised general fund shows a smaller unassigned balance and an estimated deficit scenario depending on enrollment and state-aid assumptions.
The presentation flagged growing special-education costs, noting staff estimates that roughly 22% of students have a special-education diagnosis and that severity and one-to-one needs are increasing staffing costs. Other pressures include unemployment insurance exposure (a new state policy cost item), transportation and insurance increases.
After the presentation the board voted on three motions used to build the district’s 2026 budget assumptions: the board adopted an enrollment estimate of 3,101 K–12 students (motion by Melissa; seconded by Don), accepted a 2.4% state-aid/CPI assumption for revenue projections (motion by Don; seconded by Melissa) and approved maintaining the current class-size guideline document as presented (motion by Scott; seconded by Melissa). All three passed by voice vote with 'aye' recorded and no opposition announced on the record.
Finance staff and the superintendent warned that if projected trends continue the district could substantially draw down reserves within a few years and that the board may face further difficult choices, including expenditure reductions or asking voters for operating referendum revenue in the future.
The board directed staff to continue refining budget options and to present the enrollment and state-aid parameters as part of the formal budget development process.
