Grafton board approves preliminary 2025–26 budget, flags uncertain special-education aid

The Grafton School District Board of Education voted June 23 to approve a preliminary, balanced budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year that the administration said is ready for use beginning July 1.

Topher (Speaker 4), presenting the plan, said increases in revenue are driven largely by a $325 rise in allowable revenue per student, which he said produced “about $675,000 in additional revenue,” and by an increase in the district’s three-year membership average (36 additional students), which he said generated roughly another $400,000. Together those items and other changes amount to “a little over $1,000,000 in revenue,” Topher said.

The administration told the board it is not counting on a full restoration of state special-education aid. Topher noted the biennial budget had anticipated aid covering about 33.3% of certain special-education costs but said the district is receiving roughly 30.6% in reimbursement this year; the preliminary budget assumes that lower rate will remain until the state budget is finalized.

On the expenditure side, the budget includes previously approved salary and wage increases and an assumed 10% rise in health-insurance premiums. The administration also factored in higher utility costs — a reported 9–10% increase for electric and gas and a substantial Village increase for water and sewer — and estimated an overall $1,080,000 increase in expenditures, about a 3.8% rise. With those assumptions the district projects a fund-balance ratio near 21.3%.

Topher outlined next steps: a potential state biennial budget in July, a budget hearing and annual meeting in September, and final state revenue information in October to be used to finalize the budget and certify the levy.

The board approved the preliminary budget for use July 1 by voice vote.