Ellsworth School Board approves FY27 budget after shifting technology costs out of debt service

The Ellsworth School Board approved the district's FY27 budget on voice vote, endorsing a plan to pay for newly bid instructional technology panels from reserves and operating funds rather than through long-term debt. The finance committee presented the package, which shows a 7.34% budget-to-budget increase and a 7.85% change in the grand total local appropriation.

Superintendent Amy (last name not specified in the transcript) told the board the change between budget versions was driven by lower-than-expected bids for instructional panels, allowing the district to "pay it between the reserve account and the FY27 budget and not finance the project and pay interest on it." She said the district shifted the amount from the debt-service line to student and staff support to reduce long-term interest costs.

The presentation also proposed increasing the student-and-staff support reserve from $125,000 to $150,000; the $25,000 increase was identified as the portion needed so the change would not raise the local appropriation percentage. The superintendent framed the overall proposal as a multi-year fiscal choice intended to protect taxpayers while advancing strategic priorities.

Board members discussed per-pupil spending and long-term reserve planning. The superintendent noted FY25 per-pupil expenditures for Ellsworth were $19,535 compared with a state average of $21,717, and characterized recent budget trends as an upward movement toward the middle of regional peers.

The budget now goes to the city council for final consideration at its April 9 meeting; the school board's vote authorizes submission of the FY27 proposal.

Ending: The board approved the FY27 budget as recommended by the finance committee and scheduled the council presentation on April 9, leaving the district to implement the payment approach that avoids additional debt service.