Dothan City Board approves FY2026 budget, authorizes seven-bus purchase and several personnel actions

The Dothan City Board of Education approved its FY2026 annual budget on Sept. 9, 2025 following a second public hearing, authorized the purchase and financing of seven school buses, and approved several personnel items including a probationary principal contract.

Superintendent Dr. Garrick Askew outlined steps from his 100-day plan before the budget discussion, including creation of a student advisory council for grades 7–12 and five upcoming community listening sessions. Finance staff presented the budget and supporting documents; Mrs. Stephanie Walker said the draft is a “conservative balanced budget” aligned with district priorities and that the full proposed budget is available online and at the meeting.

The board heard staff figures showing enrollment stable since 2021–22 and a modest increase in earned units for FY2026 (about 10 units, to 518.52). Walker told the board the district continues to meet statutory local-match requirements, receiving the state minimum 10 mills for Foundation Program participation, and noted one mill’s value in Dothan rose to $1,214,444 in 2025 from $1,029,153 in 2024.

Board members reviewed reserves and projections: Alabama law requires roughly a one-month operating balance (about $6.7 million). Staff reported a projected ending FY2025 fund balance of more than $26 million (about three months’ reserve). The FY2026 plan, Walker said, anticipates expenditures exceeding revenues by approximately $10.7 million, and includes $8.5 million in supplemental funds budgeted for 2026 and a conservative $2 million pass-through for Child Nutrition if needed.

During the meeting Mrs. Walker read a response to a written public comment submitted by Mr. Shreve Gould; the board considered that response as part of the record (see Attachment B referenced by staff). After discussion the board moved to adopt the FY2026 budget (motion by Brett Strickland, second by Melanie Hill); roll-call votes recorded five 'Yes' votes, one member absent, and the chair’s vote listed as not recorded. The motion passed.

On procurement, the board authorized purchasing seven buses from Transportation South and directed staff to secure financing with SmartBank, which has previously financed district bus purchases. SmartBank will retain Kane Burnett of Maynard Nexsen as bond counsel to facilitate closing. The approved purchase includes one Head Start bus with booster seats ($145,115), four standard buses ($143,366 each, total $573,464), and two special-needs buses ($155,208 each, total $310,416). The motion to approve the purchase and financing passed by roll call.

The board also approved the personnel agenda and a probationary principal contract during the same meeting (motions passed by roll call). Board members offered departing remarks and presentations of plaques to several members who did not seek re-election or are leaving the board.

The meeting included a vote to enter executive session for student hearings; the board reconvened and reported that no action was taken during the executive session. The board approved a revised 2025–26 district calendar and set upcoming meeting dates, including a regular meeting on Oct. 21, 2025.

Votes at a glance: the agenda, consent agenda, personnel agenda, principal contract, FY2026 budget, revised calendar, and the bus purchase/financing motion all passed by roll call during the Sept. 9 meeting. Details and supporting documents were referenced by staff and included as attachments to the official minutes.

The board adjourned after approving the motions; the full proposed FY2026 budget and referenced attachments are posted on the district website for public review.