Midland County board approves $106.06 million proposed final budget after narrow revote

The Midland County School District Board of Directors approved a proposed final general fund budget of $106,062,122 on April 23 after reopening a stalled vote and carrying a majority roll call.

The board initially took a procedural vote on the proposed final budget but did not reach the five-vote threshold required for approval, sending the meeting into discussion about options for recessing or reopening the item. Mr. Baker moved to put the budget back on the table; that motion carried, and a subsequent formal roll-call vote approved the proposed final budget by a majority.

The vote followed extensive public comment from parents, teachers and community members who urged the board to avoid cuts that would affect students. “Please do not choose the option that’s the easiest tonight. Choose the one that prevents us from being back here again next year,” parent Erica Pullman told the board during public comment, urging a mix of modest millage increases and responsible use of reserves.

Superintendent Varner told the board the tax‑rate decision itself would be decided at the June 25 meeting, and he outlined three millage alternatives that will be considered then: 36.1785, 35.5215 and 35.0215 mills (the current rate is 34.5215 mills). Varner and other administrators said the district must post the budget for a 30‑day public review period required by state law; changes can still be explored as that window proceeds, but the approved proposed final budget establishes the document to be published.

Board members debated how much of the district’s fund balance to use for short‑term relief versus raising local revenue to address structural shortfalls. Several trustees and speakers stressed that trimming recurring staff costs through repeated use of reserves would produce recurring deficits in future years and urged a balanced strategy that explores modest local revenue increases alongside cost reductions where feasible.

The board’s approval came after earlier concern that an initial roll‑call did not meet the five‑vote requirement. After the successful motion to reopen the item and a second roll call, the proposed final budget passed by majority vote. The board agreed to post the proposal for the statutorily required 30‑day public comment and to return on June 25 to consider formal tax‑rate options tied to the final resolution.

The superintendent and finance staff said they will continue to provide details on anticipated revenues and the fund‑balance drawdown so the public can see the impacts of each millage option and any program changes. The board also discussed potential revenue initiatives — such as renting district facilities — for follow‑up, and several trustees asked administration to compile more granular proposals to reduce non‑instructional expense without cutting student-facing services.

The approval is procedural: the budget is now posted for public review, and any change to millage or final adoption will be taken up by the board at the June meeting.