Board approves first draft of 2026–27 general-purpose budget, keeps 4% across‑the‑board raise

The J Creek School Board on Thursday approved the first draft of its 2026–27 general-purpose budget, voting to advance the proposal to the county budget committee for review.

Administration told the board the draft preserves a 4% across‑the‑board raise for certified and classified employees while tightening some supplemental pay and not replacing certain vacant positions. Mr. Kilzer, who opened the budget presentation, said those choices were necessary to align spending with updated revenue estimates.

Board members were told the county budget committee recently adjusted local revenue assumptions, reducing the district’s property-tax share by $268,158 and increasing sales-tax revenue from about $1.88 million to $2 million; an additional roughly $200,000 was reflected in a TVA-related tax-line item, all of which the administration said helped the district meet maintenance‑of‑effort requirements. The state’s latest TISA funding estimate was cited at approximately 3.8% (down from earlier estimates), which the administration said supported confidence in the 4% raise.

During discussion board members pressed staff about capital needs and building age; administrators noted multiple school buildings date to the 1950s–1990s and said the district has spent roughly $9 million on capital improvements in recent years. Staff described a choice to pay off recent projects early (incurring about a 1% penalty) versus extending debt; they said county revenue decisions and prior allocations to capital project funds shaped that flexibility.

The board approved the motion by voice vote; the draft will be considered by the County Commission budget committee at its next meeting.

What happens next: county budget‑committee review of the draft, additional state funding estimates through May–July that could change final numbers, and later board consideration of a final budget.