Board adopts second 2025–26 budget amendment, reporting narrower operating deficit

The Woodhaven-Brownstown School District Board of Education voted March 10 to adopt a second amendment to the 2025–26 general-fund budget, a move Director of Finance Josh Smith said narrows the district's projected operating deficit from nearly $6 million to just over $3 million.

Josh Smith told the board the amendment recognizes a $1,660,000 increase in revenues driven mainly by additional state aid, retirement-office adjustments and a one-time special-education settlement. He said projected revenues now total about $73,600,000 while projected expenditures are roughly $76,700,000. Smith said the amendment projects a June fund balance of $11,600,000, or 15.22 percent of the general fund.

"Since the first budget amendment we've received additional state aid and been able to refine our expenditures," Smith said, adding that some savings came from benefit projections and midyear staffing changes. He described the budget as a snapshot that will continue to be updated as state budget actions become final.

Board members asked for clarity on why a second amendment was needed so soon after the January update; Smith said the March change corrects an accounting error tied to longstanding set-aside funds and incorporates new, actual figures that became available since November.

The board approved the amendment and the accompanying revised general-fund resolution by voice vote. Smith told members the district will continue to monitor legislative developments and will try to protect classroom programming as it reviews further adjustments.

Provenance: topic introduced SEG 1303; last related segment SEG 1544.