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Florence 1 board approves $500,000 budget amendment to cover rising special‑education nursing costs; hears FY 2026–27 first reading
Summary
Trustees approved using up to $500,000 of interest earnings to cover higher exceptional‑education costs after 1:1 nursing cases rose to 40 students; finance staff also gave a first reading of the proposed $216.8 million FY 2026–27 budget that includes teacher increases, a $10,000 principal pay‑scale boost and higher athletic/arts stipends.
The Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees approved a $500,000 budget amendment using interest earnings to cover unexpected increases in exceptional‑education costs, including 1‑to‑1 nursing and related transportation and interpreting services.
Finance staff told the board that last year the district served 29 students who required 1‑to‑1 nursing; this year that number has grown to 40. "When we prepare a budget, it is based upon the data that we have at the time," the finance presenter said, explaining that actual interest earnings exceeded budget by about $625,000 and can be used to fund the additional exceptional‑education expenses. The board moved and approved authorization to use up to $500,000 in earnings to supplement the FY25–26 budget.
The meeting also included the first reading of the FY 2026–27 proposed budget. Finance staff summarized a $216,770,665 proposal built on local taxes ($75,840,000), state aid to classroom ($99,000,000), transfers and miscellaneous revenues. The presentation noted there is no proposed millage increase; mills are to remain at 213.7.
Highlights of the proposed 2026–27 budget included a $2,000 teacher‑scale increase (and equivalent local raises for other staff), a $10,000 local increase to the principal pay scale, a 2% bus driver increase (state driven), a $394,000 increase in athletic and arts stipends, and continued investment in information‑technology including AI software. Finance staff said the proposal uses a conservative approach and will post a public hearing on May 15 with a public hearing scheduled for June 11; second reading will be at the June 11 board meeting.
Board members asked whether past proactive spending on school resource officers affected state reimbursement; finance staff said district‑wide SRO spending predates many state reimbursement programs and that only certain schools (with BEDS codes and qualifying enrollment) receive reimbursements; as a result, most SRO costs remain locally funded.
