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Lacey Township board adds $3.32M health‑benefit adjustment as it advances tentative 2026–27 budget
Summary
Board officials presented a tentative 2026–27 budget that avoids cutting instructional staff but recommends reductions to paraprofessionals and health aides; the board approved a walk-on resolution to add $3,318,509 to the final budget to cover higher health‑benefit costs and scheduled final adoption for May 5.
The Lacey Township Board of Education heard a presentation on the district’s tentative 2026–27 budget and approved a walk‑on resolution to include an additional $3,318,509 in the final budget to cover rising health‑benefit costs.
Superintendent: "We have finally worked a solution where we're not cutting any instructional staff," the superintendent said during the presentation, stressing that the proposal is a tentative adoption and that a formal adoption is scheduled for May 5. He said the district faces a roughly $4.1 million increase in health‑benefit costs and projected a net tax levy increase of about 5.87% compared with 2025–26 under current rules.
The superintendent outlined tradeoffs the district is recommending to balance the budget: reductions to paraprofessionals, full‑time health aides, and two administrative positions; trimming technology, maintenance, co‑curricular and instructional supplies; and limiting new hires through a temporary hiring freeze. He attributed much of the pressure to the state employee health‑benefit program and projected energy‑cost increases that also raise district outlays.
The board approved a walk‑on resolution introduced late in the agenda to explicitly include an additional $3,318,509 for health‑benefit increases in the final budget. The motion was moved and seconded and passed on roll call with all recorded board members voting yes.
Bond referendum and capital work
Finance committee and district staff updated the board on the referendum-funded projects and the bond sale. The district competitively sold about $28 million in referendum bonds, received an A rating from Moody’s and secured a low bid with a net interest cost reported at about 3.58%; the administration said the timing of the sale reduced projected debt service and saved roughly $2.5 million. Projects slated for this summer include roof and HVAC work at the high school and Cedar Creek and related relocations for extended‑school‑year services while work proceeds.
Next steps and public participation
The superintendent emphasized that the budget presented at the meeting is tentative and that a public budget workshop is scheduled for April 28; final adoption is expected May 5 after county review and any adjustments. Members of the public were urged to review posted materials and the district said it will post slides and handouts online.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to convene executive session (confidential student, personnel and legal matters): moved, seconded, voice vote carried. - Routine consent agenda items (minutes, bills/claims, transfers, facility use, certificated and noncertificated personnel, professional days/workshops): each motion was moved and approved by roll call as recorded in the meeting transcript. - Walk‑on resolution to include $3,318,509 health‑benefit adjustment in the final budget: moved by a board member, seconded, approved on roll call (recorded affirmative votes by named board members in the transcript).
The board repeated that the tentative budget is subject to the county tax assessor’s calculations and to adjustments before the May 5 final adoption.
