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Preliminary budget shows roughly $997,000 starting deficit; board hears options
Summary
Finance staff presented a 2025–26 budget preview with $26.7M proposed revenue under current assumptions, an increased basic education base, possible state funding changes and a projected deficit near $997,000. Board members asked for scenario modeling and follow-up on potential revenue and expenditure adjustments.
Finance staff presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget and walked the board through revenue assumptions and major expenditure drivers.
The staff member said the proposed revenue is roughly $26.7 million with no local tax increase under current assumptions and highlighted two state-level items: a reset to the basic-education base (noted in the presentation at about $5.4 million for the district) and an uncertain formula-level supplement (the staff noted a $150,000 provisional increase in the governor’s proposal). The presentation cautioned that state actions on "ready-to-learn" and property-tax relief could change totals and that final figures likely won’t be known until later in the spring.
On expenditures, staff discussed salary and benefits pressures (a planning lift of about 2.7% for wages and an assumed up-to-8% healthcare cost increase), proposed new positions and technology/capital requests. Staff said the tentative expenditure total left the district with a starting gap of about $997,000 under the present assumptions. The staff member emphasized several adjustable items — capital-reserve contributions, targeted expenditures and staffing additions — and asked administrators to provide program-level proposals and tradeoffs.
Board members asked for more granular scenario modeling, including the fiscal effects of different millage choices, adjustments to capital-reserve funding, and the cost of proposed new positions. Staff said they will provide refined scenarios and building-level expense tabs ahead of the next budget meeting.
Why it matters: The preliminary deficit frames near-term choices the board must make on staffing, capital needs and possible tax policy. The board asked staff for additional scenarios and recommended public engagement as the budget proceeds.
