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Little Falls board adopts 2026–27 budget; compensatory funding drop cited
Summary
The Little Falls Community Schools board approved the proposed 2026–27 budget. Presenters said per‑pupil funding rose 2.69% but compensatory funding fell by about $460,000, contributing to a projected revenue shortfall; the district still projects an unassigned fund balance of roughly $3.7 million (about 10.5%).
The Little Falls Community Schools Board of Education voted to approve the district's proposed 2026–27 budget after a wideranging presentation by Heidi and district staff outlining revenues, expenditures and program impacts.
Heidi told trustees Minnesota Department of Education set an increase in per‑pupil aid of 2.69%, roughly $201 per pupil, but that a change in state compensatory funding calculations left the district with a roughly $460,000 decrease in compensatory (basic skills) aid. Heidi projected next year's enrollment at just over 2,100 students, down from nearly 2,200 this year, and said the district anticipates "just over $35 million" in expenditures and "just under $35 million" in revenue for the coming fiscal year. She projected an unassigned fund balance of about $3.7 million (approximately 10.5 percent) at year end.
The presentation also covered special education funding increases at the state level, federal special education projections, projected increases in salaries/wages and benefits (approximately $770,000, reflecting bargained settlements), a net decrease in capital spending of about $900,000, and planned technology device leasing for secondary grades. Heidi said the district plans to spend restricted fund balances where eligible and maintain board policy on unassigned reserves.
Board members asked questions about enrollment assumptions, facility needs and timeline for the Infinite Campus conversion; trustees praised staff for preparing a budget that was ready by early June. The board moved to approve the budget and adopted it by voice vote.
The budget presentation also reviewed other funds: food service (projected fund balance around $768,000 with projected meal participation trends and supply cost pressures), community services/Little Flyers daycare (start‑up costs and alignment of fees expected; projected community services fund balance under pressure), construction funds (proceeds available from the 2016 bond) and debt service (three outstanding instruments including 2016A/2016B and 2023A certificates).
The board approved the budget as presented and will proceed with the financial plans for the coming year; several routine motions approving memberships, MOUs and calendar items were handled later in the meeting.
Quote from the presentation: "What I'm projecting next year is just over 35 million in expenditures," Heidi said during the presentation.
