Governing council approves FY26 CIP quarter and several budget amendments as district outlines deficit-cutting plan

The Special School District governing council approved the FY26 capital-improvement-plan first-quarter report and a series of budget amendments and adjustments during a virtual meeting that also reviewed the district's financial position and audit timeline.

Cindy Ryman, chief financial officer, and John Klene, director of finance, told the council that fiscal-year 2025 began with a $74.8 million deficit and, through targeted actions, the district reduced that to an estimated $55 million. "Fiscally school year 25 began with a $74.8 million deficit and we were able through various strategies to reduce that deficit down to 55 million," Ryman said. Ryman and Klene also outlined FY26 adjustments that reflect board-approved changes to the budget to date.

Why it matters: District leaders said stabilizing fund balances and containing non-wage costs are priorities as SSD enters the FY27 budget process. Ryman said the district is aiming for a target fund balance in the 30% to 35% range and will continue monitoring revenues and expenditures to meet that goal.

The council also heard an audit scheduling update. Klene told members the single-audit timetable was delayed because the federal compliance supplement was late; as a result, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is allowing districts to submit single audits by Jan. 31, 2026. SSD's audit summary is scheduled to go to the Board of Education on Dec. 9 and will return to the governing council in March.

Votes at a glance: The meeting included recorded motions that passed by voice vote: approval of the meeting agenda, approval of amended minutes from Sept. 22, 2026 (attendance correction), approval of the FY26 CIP first-quarter report, and approval of three budget actions (FY25 amendment dated 6/24/25 and two FY26 budget adjustments). The motions were moved and seconded from the floor and the chair announced they carried; specific numerical tallies were not read into the record.

Financial context and next steps: Ryman emphasized the need to manage staffing and capital-levy allocations while pursuing non-wage cost containment. She warned that future years (FY27—FY29) will be more challenging and that the district will need to keep monitoring fund balances and unanticipated expenditures. The governing council will receive further updates as the audit and FY26 monitoring progress.

The council adjourned at 8:43 p.m.