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Okemos board hears budget update and preliminary school‑of‑choice openings; more refinements expected
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Summary
Finance director Liz Lentz updated the board on 2025–26 revisions and early 2026–27 estimates: negotiation impacts (~$906,000), utility and gas increases, and projected carryforward pressures. Interim Superintendent Stacy Bailey reported likely school‑of‑choice openings (about 10 openings K–4; one opening 5–12) to be finalized at the April 27 meeting.
Executive Director of Finance Liz Lentz briefed the board on mid‑year budget revisions for 2025–26 and preliminary implications for 2026–27.
Lentz identified several recommended revisions: roughly $906,000 for negotiations (including items the board approved that evening), a utilities revision that combines one‑time and ongoing costs of about $284,000, and an estimated $185,000 gas cost (with about $100,000 identified as a one‑time charge related to market timing). She said operations and contracted services will require about $120,000 in additional ongoing funds and that an ISD funding update added about $310,000 for 2025–26. Lentz estimated about $955,000 in carryforward/use of funds and, after current increases and offsets, projected a use of funds of around $473,000 for 2026–27 absent further state aid or other changes.
Interim Superintendent Stacy Bailey presented preliminary school‑of‑choice opening estimates and said the district will finalize numbers for a vote at the April 27 meeting. Bailey said estimates indicate the district can likely offer about 10 openings in grades K–4 and one opening across grades 5–12, but final data (including kindergarten roundup and enrollment movement) will inform final numbers.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about the purchasing and energy strategies that led to the gas expense and asked for deeper explanation in upcoming reports. Lentz said the district’s energy consultant is working with staff to avoid repeat market exposures and that further detail would be provided in a future director report.
