Colton SD budget committee reviews $10.8 million proposed 2026–27 budget, plans follow-up on contingency priorities

The Colton School District budget committee reviewed the district's proposed 2026–27 budget and heard a budget message that centers planning on restoring staff positions, investing in facilities and continuing college and virtual partnerships.

Presenter Dave told the committee the plan is to "align every dollar with our core vision" and said the district's recovery from pandemic-era enrollment declines has generated an ending fund balance that allows targeted restorations. The proposed general fund for 2026–27 is roughly $10.8 million, with contingency budgeted at $773,448 (which exceeds the board's 6% policy minimum of about $564,000).

The proposed appropriation adds staffing including three secondary teachers, a 0.5 FTE PE teacher, a 0.5 FTE art teacher, an additional secretary and a halftime licensed preschool teacher. Committee members asked for line-item detail tying those FTE changes to account codes and requested a reconciled FTE summary; presenter Chris said some positions are funded by a mix of general fund, Preschool Promise, grant dollars and tuition.

Committee questions focused on the budget's revenue assumptions (state school fund and average daily membership, or ADM), projected PERS rates, and revenue flow to and from the district's virtual and charter operations. The committee discussed Stellar Pines, a new charter virtual academy that enrolled near 100 students after opening midyear; under the district's contract presenter Chris said the district will flow a large share of that program's state revenue to the operator while retaining some grant dollars tied to ADM.

Members also reviewed special revenue funds and grants: Title programs, SIA/high-school-success funding, a qualified mental-health-professional grant, and a COPS safety grant earmarked for lighting, door-access and camera upgrades. Chris said many grants carry either one-time or year-to-year constraints and that some grant balances remain available for spending in 2026–27.

Athletics and facilities received substantial discussion. Committee members pressed for comparative data on athletic director compensation and asked whether contingency funds should be earmarked for athletic travel, coaching stipends or grounds maintenance. One member cited in-state AD pay ranges of roughly $50,000'$100,000 as a benchmark and asked the administration to provide district-to-district comparisons and a sport-level cost breakdown. The committee also requested cost estimates for additional grounds equipment (tractor, brush hog) and options for contracting versus in-house maintenance.

Food service and the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) drew attention: Chris reported CEP has allowed universal free meals, reduced household payments and reduced the general-fund transfer previously required to sustain food service; the program is building a modest reserve and the presenter said an early renewal is being pursued.

Next steps: committee members asked staff to return with (1) a reconciled FTE and payroll cost summary for the changes proposed, (2) comparative athletic director compensation data and by-sport coaching costs, (3) cost estimates for grounds equipment and maintenance options, and (4) a prioritized list of one-time capital/maintenance projects that might be funded from contingency if the district finishes the year above policy thresholds. The committee set a second budget meeting (published for May 26) for continued review.

The budget review concluded without board action on the full budget; staff will bring requested detail to future meetings for committee consideration.