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Canyons board hears $394M budget proposal; members prioritize special‑education training and additional FTE cushion
Summary
Business administrator Leon Wilcox presented a $394 million proposed budget that models rising property values and possible tax impacts; board discussion prioritized a three‑day special‑education training pilot and adding FTE cushion to reduce split classrooms, and flagged increased SRO costs and enrollment decline.
Leon Wilcox, the district business administrator, presented the proposed 2024–25 budget to the board on June 4, laying out projected revenues (about $385–394 million depending on certified rates), declining enrollment trends and several capital and operating priorities.
Wilcox highlighted a projected enrollment decline (about 1,500 students over five years) and said property values have risen substantially: the district’s average home value is near $700,000. Using district modeling, he said the average homeowner could see roughly a $90–$93 annual tax increase if certain levy adjustments and capital needs are approved.
The presentation also flagged significant operating pressures: utilities and maintenance, higher costs for school resource officers (SROs) and ongoing personnel costs. Wilcox told the board the district currently pays about $45,000 per SRO and is negotiating renewal agreements that could push reimbursed amounts toward $75,000 per officer.
Board members focused much of the discussion on how to allocate a modest margin of available funds (roughly $800,000–$900,000 under the presented scenario). Options included a three‑day special‑education training pilot for hundreds of staff (three‑day and five‑day proposals were discussed, with the three‑day option favored as a start), creating a multi‑year coaching model, increasing the FTE cushion to avoid split elementary classrooms, and piloting a half‑FTE to support a Draper Park hybrid special‑ed program.
Nate (special‑education staff) summarized training priorities: scaffolds, accommodations, AAC devices for communication, and progress‑monitoring strategies. Several board members described the special‑education training and added FTE as top priorities. Mrs Tingy and Mrs Naar both voiced support for a three‑day training and for increasing the FTE cushion. No final budget adoption was recorded on June 4; staff asked the board for direction and said they would present a tentative adoption at the June 18 meeting pending the certified tax rate and truth‑in‑taxation schedule.
