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Administrators map FY27 priorities amid state uncertainty; some capital and positions left unfunded
Summary
Staff presented a balanced budget recommendation built on the lower House revenue estimate, a 3.5% raise proposal, VRS savings, and a list of funded and unfunded items (fleet replacements, technology, some program stipends left unfunded).
Administrators told the Reno County School Board that the division would build its FY27 budget around the lower of two state revenue estimates and hold one-time flexible funds until the General Assembly’s outcome is certain.
Key elements: staff recommended using the House operating estimate (presented as the conservative choice) while setting aside approximately $4 million of one-time funds. The recommended package includes a 3.5% salary increase for employees (costed at about $2.4 million after VRS contribution changes), shifting 10% of health-premium increases to employees (with the general fund covering most of the remaining increase at an estimated $3.7 million cost), and converting a $1,000 longevity stipend for top-scale employees into creditable compensation (estimated $14,763 impact to VRS calculations).
Funded vs. unfunded items: staff said most tier-one requests were covered, while items left unfunded included grade-level coordinators, a board-certified behavior analyst position, certain technology replacements for grades 1–2, fleet replacement transfers (no bus replacements planned this year), and some HVAC and facilities needs. Administrators said some positions were reallocated from grant funds or through internal redirections rather than new hires.
Why it matters: the combination of state revenue uncertainty and a potential county reduction to revenue sharing led staff and board members to emphasize conservative budgeting and to flag that some programs and capital maintenance items could be delayed if final revenues fall short.
Next steps: staff said they could bring a final budget to the board for adoption at the end of March and continue to update projections after the General Assembly and county actions are final.
