Board reviews enrollment outlook and budget timeline as costs rise faster than projected revenue

Assistant Superintendent Teresa Main presented the district's enrollment projection methodology and the multi-step budget review schedule for 2026–27, telling the board how headcount, FTE calculations and nontraditional programs are factored into staffing plans.

Main said the district expects about $23.6 million from the 2026 levy and roughly $2.5 million annually from the technology levy, and that projected expenditures total approximately $209 million to $215 million. "Revenue is capped at voter-approved amounts," she noted, and the district currently receives about $3 million annually in Levy Equalization Assistance.

Using a 10-year kindergarten average, roll-up models for grades 1–5 and five-year cohort survival for grades 6–12, Main said the projections call for three additional elementary teachers spread across seven schools, one building losing a teacher, and a net increase of 6.2 FTE at secondary to address a student "bubble." Class-size targets were described as 23–24 students in elementary and under 30 in secondary classrooms.

Main outlined the budget review timeline: initial overview on April 15, updated review May 13, smaller funds presentation in June, near-final budget July 8 and a final review/public hearing in August with adoption to follow.

Board members flagged fiscal pressures: rising costs (insurance, fuel, materials) are outpacing modest revenue growth of just under 2%, and uncertainty remains around regionalization factors and federal funding changes. Directors urged careful stewardship and asked staff to continue refining projections and presenting clarifying details as the process moves forward.

No formal budget adoption occurred at the meeting; staff will return with successive budget presentations according to the schedule.