Richland 1 leaders warn state teacher-salary mandate will add millions; district to 'prune' budget to avoid using reserves

Robert Lomenak, chair of the Richland School District One Board of Commissioners, opened the April 14 work session and the board unanimously adopted the meeting agenda.

Ms. Bing, presenting the district's general-fund outlook, told commissioners the district will build the FY2026–27 budget around five core priorities: recruiting and retaining professionals; equitable experiences to support educational excellence; social-emotional supports for students and staff; facilities, technology and resources; and improved communication and engagement. She said the district is in budget season and is updating projections after recent county and state figures.

Ms. Bing presented multi-year figures showing the district operated with roughly $384 million in FY24 and $409 million in FY25; FY26 was amended to about $425 million to include a laptop purchase that, once reimbursed from capital funding (about $6 million), would bring FY26 to roughly $419 million. She said state aid to classroom is calculated using weighted pupil units and that the district’s…