Treasurer warns of multi-year cash shortfall; board adopts amended appropriations and weighs levy options

Treasurer Mister Hammond presented an amended-appropriations package and a detailed cash-flow forecast showing that, without new revenue sources, the district faces multi-year deficits that would deplete cash reserves in coming years. Hammond updated the board on revenue adjustments (increased real-estate tax receipts this year) and major expense changes (food-service overspending and a severance liability) that together shifted the five-year picture.

Hammond modeled several levy scenarios for a potential November election, showing that modest increases would buy time but larger levies materially improve multi-year cash balances. For example, scenarios from about 3.5 mills to 5.5 mills move long-range projections from steep deficits toward breakeven; a roughly 5.2–5.5-mill scenario was modeled as sufficient to return the district to a sustained positive cash position. Board members asked clarifying questions about enrollment decline impacts, fixed versus variable cost structure, and whether building-closure planning could yield faster savings; administrators and trustees agreed that facility decisions take months-to-years to implement and would not avert an imminent cash shortfall.

The board voted to approve the amended appropriations for fiscal 2026, which adjusted the general fund and other accounts to reflect current projections. The treasurer said he needs to file amended appropriation documents with the county auditor and will return to the board with additional, narrower amendments as year-end information attains finality. Trustees agreed to continue modeling levy and operational options in advance of a November ballot decision.