Board hears April financial update; staff proposes $60 per-student consumable fee for 2026–27

Mrs. Libby presented the district's April financial report and a discussion of proposed student consumable fees.

Key financial figures: the education fund cash balance stood at about $9.87 million (approximately 16.45% of the approved budget); combined with the district’s rainy‑day funds the total was just over $12 million (about 20% of the budget). The operations fund cash balance, excluding bond proceeds, was described as just under $100,000 (about 4% of approved budget), down from 6.5% at the same time last year. Mrs. Libby said operations revenues through April were approximately $242,000 year‑to‑date and that timing of tax distributions and previous CVET receipts account for some variance.

To address a curricular‑materials funding gap, staff reviewed recent state legislative changes that restructured curricular‑material funding. Mrs. Libby said the district estimates existing state allocations do not fully cover projected curricular‑materials expenditures. Staff proposed a flat $60 per‑student consumable fee for the 2026–27 school year. Mrs. Libby said the fee would be offered to all families, with a free‑and‑reduced‑lunch‑based application available for financial assistance and an assurance that no learning opportunities would be withheld because of need.

Staff estimated the proposed fee would generate roughly $435,000 if fall enrollment remained at prior levels; Mrs. Libby described that figure as an estimate and said enrollment is subject to change. The proposal will return for action at the board’s June 2 meeting.

Board members commended the clarity of the presentation and thanked staff for the analysis; no vote was taken on the fee during this meeting.