Willow Springs R-IV board adopts FY27 budget, approves salary movement, bus purchase and OT/PT contracts

The Willow Springs R-IV Board of Education on Monday adopted its proposed FY27 budget and approved a slate of related measures including salary-step movement, a replacement school bus purchase funded largely through insurance recoveries, and contracts for occupational, physical and ABA therapy services.

The board voted to approve the FY27 budget after a presentation that framed the plan as a "sustainable" approach combining zero-based and balanced budgeting. The budget presenter (referred to in the transcript as the superintendent-level presenter) told the board the district is projecting about $13.5 million in revenues for 2026–27 and described the plan as conservative on revenues and aggressive on expenditures. "This 26–27 budget...it's going to be about a deficit spend of $35,000," the superintendent said, characterizing that figure as a worst-case scenario built into planning.

The presentation highlighted several revenue risks: the state funding formula and one-time gaming revenue projections have been unreliable, the district budgeted Prop C at $1,375 per student (MSBA's recommendation is $1,450) and the budget team set the student adequacy target at 66.40 (MSBA recommendation 67.42). The superintendent noted that each $100 change in the adequacy target would swing roughly $116,000 in district revenue.

On expenditures the presenter said salaries and benefits account for roughly 73% of district spending, and the FY27 draft includes built-in assumptions for utility increases, insurance, a $150,000 bus reserve and a $45,000 estimate for accrued personal-time payouts. "Once it gets up close to 80% [salaries and benefits], it gets pretty tight," the presenter said, urging conservative assumptions.

The board then approved a salary-and-benefits motion that keeps the current salary schedule intact but allows natural step movement for eligible staff. The transcript records board discussion of the state baseline salary grant and notes that the district did not assume grant funds in the budget; speakers cautioned that the state grant could be reduced in future years and that the district is legally responsible for statutory minimum pay levels even if grant funding is cut.

Board members also approved purchasing a 2027, 71-passenger Bluebird route bus (proposal price $143,982) and amended the motion to record explicitly that the replacement bus would be paid with insurance-recovery funds. Meeting discussion explained that one replacement bus would be largely covered by insurance claim proceeds and additional amounts would be paid from an insurance recovery fund; the board discussed procurement and confirmed a formal bid had been obtained.

The board approved contracts to provide occupational therapy, physical therapy and ABA services to meet IEP requirements. Staff recommended local providers after receiving bids, noting virtual bids were substantially higher and would add travel/support costs. The transcript records that Ozark's Healthcare was the recommended physical-therapy vendor, Children's Behavior (local) was recommended for occupational therapy, and a local ABA provider was recommended for ABA services.

Votes on the FY27 budget, salary-and-benefits proposal, bus purchase and OT/PT/ABA contracts were each moved and seconded and the motions passed; the transcript records occasional opposing votes but does not include a roll-call tally. After completing these items the board voted to enter executive session for personnel matters.

What happens next: board staff will finalize and post the FY27 budget documents and proceed with procurement and contracting as approved; an executive session will address personnel items behind closed doors as permitted by law.

Quotes from the meeting

"This 26–27 budget...it's going to be about a deficit spend of $35,000," the superintendent said while outlining worst-case assumptions for FY27.

Dr. Johnson, reporting on middle school matters, said, "our enrollment held steady again here. It's been holding steady right there in the 350s," noting completed MAP testing and an ELA growth award from St. Louis University.

Details and clarifications

- Projected revenues for FY27: about $13.5 million (presenter estimate). - Projected worst-case deficit for FY27: about $35,000 (presenter-stated estimate). - Prop C per-student assumption in budget: $1,375 (district); MSBA recommendation cited: $1,450. - Student adequacy target used in budget: 66.40 (district); MSBA reference: 67.42 (recommended); each $100 change ≈ $116,000 to district revenue, per presenter. - Bus proposal: 2027 71-passenger Bluebird, price listed $143,982; majority paid from insurance-recovery funds and insurance recovery fund proceeds. - Special-services procurement: local PT/OT/ABA providers recommended; virtual bids were higher ($87–$115/hr reported for virtual options).

No policies or statutes were enacted at the meeting; the transcript references a statutory training requirement (18.5 hours) mentioned in the MSBA report but no local policy change was adopted.

The board moved into executive session for personnel at the meeting's close.