Upper Adams board approves preliminary 2026–27 budget to post, includes proposed 4.9% tax increase

The Upper Adams School Board voted to approve and post the preliminary 2026–27 budget after a detailed presentation of year‑end projections, recent state funding changes and multiple scenarios for balancing next year’s finances.

Business staff told the board the district’s FY26 revenues rose after the state budget enactment and enumerated targeted increases: roughly $104,000 in basic education funding, $16,000 for special education, about $47,000 tied to a PCCD grant for FY26, and an $841,000 "ready to learn" allocation affecting the current year. District expenditures for the year are roughly $38 million; staff projected FY26 ending expenditures near $37.5 million and estimated an end‑of‑year variance near $346,000.

For FY27 the administration outlined options: use assigned funds, implement a local tax increase, or factor in proposed state revenue. A 4.9% tax increase was shown to raise about $666,802 in local revenue and was included in the preliminary budget presented to the board. The presenter cautioned that including all proposed state funding carries risk because the state picture remains uncertain.

Board members discussed fund balance targets and policy limits (the district’s unassigned fund balance was estimated at roughly $2.5 million, about 6.8% of expenditures under current projections), and asked the administration to prepare scenarios that would identify potential expenditure reductions if needed. After discussion, the board approved the preliminary budget by roll-call vote so it can be posted; the preliminary number sets the maximum tax increase the board may adopt at final vote in June.