Romulus board approves amended 2025–26 budget after finance directorpresentation

Romulus Community Schools Interim Director of Finance Josh Dyer presented a March amendment to the district—2025—6 budget and the Board of Education voted to adopt the amended general appropriations resolution on March 9, 2026.

Dyer told trustees the district—25—6 general fund revenues were "just over $43,000,000" with anticipated spending of about "$43,000,007.50," producing a projected overspend "of 700 $672,000" in his presentation. He said the district began the year with a $4,200,000 audited fund balance and, if current projections hold, the ending balance would be "just over 3 and a half million dollars." The board approved the amendment on a roll-call motion by Davis, supported by Rogers.

The presentation walked trustees through key adjustments: updated FTE assumptions (a blended 90% fall/10% spring calculation and a 25e adjustment that Dyer said will add 13 FTEs to the blended count), grant carryovers that increase both revenues and expenses (largely net-zero to fund balance), and tax-revenue adjustments related to the district—2s hold-harmless status with the state. Dyer said some federal allocations and carryover amounts were delayed this year but that the district—2s consolidated application has been approved and spending should proceed as modifications are completed.

On specific figures Dyer said, "we are looking at general fund budget with our revenues being just over $43,000,000, and current anticipated spending being, about $43,000,007.50, that would put us at about an overspend of 700 $672,000." He emphasized the work to align grants so revenues and expenditures match and highlighted the need to track timing differences that require spending first and reimbursement later for certain special-education and grant-funded items.

Superintendent Dr. Edmondson acknowledged the shortfall but urged perspective. "I never feel good about that," he said, describing the near-term overspend as difficult but consistent with recent years and with reimbursement timing and other one-time adjustments. Trustees asked detailed questions about grant drawdowns and reimbursement schedules; Mark Graham, who works on grants for the district, said drawdowns have resumed and will increase as processes stabilize.

The board adopted the amended budget by a unanimous roll-call vote. Dyer said staff will continue to refine projections and monitor carryovers, reimbursement timing and the impact of updated FTE counts on state aid.

What happens next: the amendment becomes the district—2s general appropriations resolution for the fiscal year; administration will implement the budget changes and report back to the board as reimbursements and carryovers are realized.