Cannon Falls board approves FY26 revised budget, policy updates and vehicle purchases

Board members approved several operational and fiscal measures after presentations from district staff.

Finance director-level staff (Josh, speaker 6) summarized the revised FY26 budget, reporting the district is "in a positive direction" and noting expected receipts in May that include the first half of property taxes and revenue from a referendum passed last November. He estimated roughly $330,000 in receipts at fiscal year end, including a $210,000 negotiated district portion. Josh described a goal of raising the unassigned fund balance toward the district policy target of 8–12% of operating expenditures.

After discussion, the board moved and approved the FY26 revised budget by voice vote.

The board also approved MSBA policy updates from February 2026 as presented and accepted the Transportation Committee recommendation to purchase one bus and three passenger vans in FY27 to maintain replacement cycles and meet increased van demand for special-education routing. Board members discussed van sizes (most seven-passenger; one potentially 10-passenger if budget and state contract allow) and DOT certification requirements for vehicle retention.

Because lead times for bus builds can exceed a year, the board authorized placing an order for an FY28 bus now (the district will be billed in the FY28 budget year). The board also approved a routine update to the 2025–2026 coaching list and a new $500 Cannon Falls Volleyball Boosters scholarship during the same consent/regular business sequence; each motion carried by voice vote.

All formal motions recorded in the meeting passed by voice vote with chair calls for "aye" and no recorded roll-call tallies.