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Board approves 2025-26 winter budget revisions after line-by-line review; fund-balance policy debated
Summary
Director of business services presented comprehensive winter budget revisions including bus purchases, literacy and REACT spend-downs, a $5.26 million construction draw and a $1.88 million transfer to unassigned fund balance to meet policy; the board approved the revisions and discussed whether the district's 12% fund-balance minimum should be raised.
The St. Francis Area Schools board voted to approve the 2025-26 winter budget revisions after administration presented a detailed line-by-line review.
What was presented: Director of Business Services (Dell) guided the board through changes across multiple funds. Key expense revisions included an operating-capital increase of $619,557 for bus purchases; literacy-related spend-downs (including Read Literacy Act and REACT training) and a transfer of $1.88 million from assigned fund balances to unassigned to comply with the district's fund-balance policy. The construction fund was increased by a $5,264,336 draw aligned to the bond project schedule for indoor-air-quality work. Community education changes included a $625,000 project allocation for youth soccer field lighting and iPads for early-childhood programs. ALC (area learning center) revenue of about $900,000 and adjustments to pupil-support funding were also added to the revised revenues.
Board discussion: Members commended Dell for a granular review of more than 17,000 lines of data. Several board members questioned the policy minimum for unassigned fund balance (currently 12%): staff and advisers explained that three months of operating reserves is the historical rationale and that some suggested a higher target (around 16–18%) given the district lacks an operating referendum. The administration said the revisions keep the district aligned with its current policy.
Vote and next steps: After discussion, the board approved the presented winter revision. Administration and finance staff said they will continue to refine reporting, provide updates on the construction draw schedule, and advise the policy committee if a fund-balance policy change is recommended.
Ending: The board's approval finalized changes for the current fiscal year; board and staff will monitor implementation and consider whether to revisit the fund-balance policy at a future policy-committee meeting.
