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Board gets FY27 budget preview; staff flag enrollment, device lease and transportation costs
Summary
Finance staff presented a first draft of the FY27 budget: state aid up ~2.7%, new device lease accounted as a $5M obligation in the first year, transportation costs rising with fuel, and projected fund balance growth but narrowing; board discussed staffing priorities, enrollment assumptions and levy impacts.
The board reviewed an early draft of the fiscal 2027 budget at the May 19 work session. Finance staff said projected state revenue increases are about 2.68%, producing roughly $2.7 million in state funding; the district is accounting for a planned device lease (student devices) that shows as a $5 million obligation in the first-year accounting as required by state rules, with approximately $1.1—2.5 million payable per year on that lease depending on term.
Staff described a modest improvement in fund balance but warned the gap between revenues and costs is narrowing because of personnel and benefit cost growth. Special-education transport reimbursement was noted as reduced from recent years and staff told trustees that federal and certain grant sources are declining. The district is forecasting to maintain its fund balance in policy range but encouraged continued discipline in hiring and cost control.
Board members asked about staffing priorities, recess supervision and the potential cost of operating an additional instructional hour. Staff said hiring remains a key constraint and that the budget is being developed conservatively. Directors asked for continued updates as enrollment projections and bond/levy decisions are finalized.
