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District staff outline preliminary budget, cite insurance increase and proposed fee hikes
Summary
District finance staff presented preliminary budget documents showing revenue tied to support units and anticipated $1.7–$1.8 million impact largely driven by a 14.4% insurance increase; trustees reviewed proposed meal price increases and facility rental rate changes ahead of a June budget hearing.
Jonathan Balz, presenting preliminary budget documents to trustees, said state revenue estimates are built from average daily attendance converted into support units and that the legislature now separates on‑site and virtual learners for distribution calculations. “This is all based on attendance,” Balz said, adding that virtual learners attract a lower distribution factor and that the district currently anticipates about five fewer support units year over year.
Balz cited insurance as a major near‑term pressure: “It increased 14.4 percent,” he said, and noted the state provided a comparable 14.4% reimbursement increase tied to insurance costs. Even with the reimbursement, Balz estimated a net effect around $1.7–$1.8 million in the budget, driven primarily by benefits and insurance increases.
Staff walked trustees through three state and district spreadsheets that feed the general (100) fund and related special distributions (literacy, technology, remediation, transportation). Balz emphasized timing of state payments (Feb. 15, May 15, July 15) and said some draft spreadsheets would be adjusted before the next meeting to reflect virtual learner calculations.
Trustees also reviewed proposed fee changes. Balz said food service fees for paid accounts would rise modestly—elementary breakfast by $0.10, secondary breakfast by $0.20, elementary lunch by $0.10 and secondary lunch by $0.25—while reminding the board that roughly 45% of students qualify for free/reduced meals. On facility rentals, staff proposed classifying events by impact and adjusting hourly rates to better cover maintenance costs; examples discussed included raising gym and auditorium rates and charging for additional services such as piano tuning when rented.
Balz said the district is finalizing proposed fee notices required by statute for any increase above 5% and will publish the fee hearing notice ahead of the formal hearing next week. He also noted the district is continuing work on the expense side, emphasizing that staff and directors have reviewed employee rosters and anticipated supplies and equipment needs as the team balances the budget.
The board received the information for review; Balz said documents will be updated and available for trustees before next week’s regular meeting and budget hearing on June 16.
