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School officials present $59.8 million proposed budget and plan free student admission to home athletics
Summary
School officials presented a proposed 2026–27 budget totaling about $59.8 million, highlighted major cost drivers (salaries, benefits, transportation, health care), and said the division will allow students free admission to home athletic events at Lebanon, Castlewood and Honaker high schools while adding athletic supplements to offset lost gate revenue.
School leaders presented a proposed 2026–27 budget to the Russell County Board of Supervisors, asking the board to consider required local effort, required local match and debt service estimated at about $11,189,608.
The presenter said the proposed total revenue figure is $59,762,823, with a state portion of roughly $38.9 million, federal funds near $4.9 million, the federal food program at about $2.7 million and textbooks/Chromebooks included in the budget. On the expense side, the presenter said the general fund estimate is approximately $54.8 million and cited major cost pressures: salaries and benefits, rising transportation costs, higher health care premiums (staff estimated a 5% insurance premium increase), and supplements tied to student engagement.
As part of student‑engagement efforts, staff proposed free admission for students at home athletic events for Lebanon, Castlewood and Honaker high schools and recommended additional athletic supplements in the budget to offset anticipated gate revenue loss. When a supervisor asked how the district projected attendance for budgeting, the presenter said the calculation used enrollment figures and that staff will meet next week to refine methods to track actual attendance versus enrollment counts.
Enrollment: presenter reported April ADM enrollment of 3,032, which staff said they received the same day.
The board did not take formal action on the budget that night; staff characterized the document as a proposed budget to be refined and presented for future consideration.
Quote: "Our enrollment right now is 3,032," the presenter said when asked about student counts.
Next steps: staff will refine athletic attendance estimates and continue budget development ahead of statutory deadlines and later public hearings.
