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Battle Creek board advances 2026–27 preliminary budget, approves multiple business items
Summary
At a June 8 work session the Battle Creek Public Schools board reviewed budget pressures tied to declining enrollment and grant losses, approved the 2025–26 general fund and 2026–27 preliminary budgets, and passed several routine business motions including a nursing contract and labor tentative agreements.
The Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education on Monday reviewed a tightened fiscal outlook driven by declining enrollment, the end of several federal and foundation grants and rising costs, then approved a slate of budget and business motions.
In a budget hearing early in the work session Dr. Carter, the district superintendent, told board members the district is planning for about a 150‑student loss next year and said state and federal funding proposals remain uncertain. "We're going to talk about budget again," Dr. Carter said, opening the presentation that explained the district relies on local, state and federal revenue streams.
The superintendent and staff noted a projected one‑time $100,000 increase in local revenue from property taxes but warned that several grant sources are expiring. Staff reported a roughly $830,000 drop in funding tied to W.K. Kellogg Foundation support and explained that many positions previously paid by grants are not classroom teachers; "we did not cut any classroom jobs," Dr. Carter said.
Board members discussed strategies to shore up program revenue, including expanded marketing for the Math & Science Center, outreach to new buyers and increased professional development sales. Staff said the district plans to pursue grants and strategic program reviews ("start/stop/continue") and will continue work on zero‑based budgeting and improved expenditure controls.
Votes at a glance
- MHSA resolution: approved by voice vote. - 2025–26 general fund: approved by voice vote. - 2025–26 supplemental fund final amendments: approved. - 2026–27 preliminary general fund and preliminary supplemental budgets: approved to proceed. - L‑4029 tax rate request form: approved (routine filing). - Nursing services contract (up to $400,000 from fund balance): approved; motion recorded and passed. - Tentative agreements with support staff and teachers: approved (board later moved to finalize these agreements in business session). - Revised Policy 5209 (student cell phones): approved on second reading.
Board members cast these votes by verbal response during the work session; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript. Staff said several expenditures tied to recent bond funding—not the general fund—will cover portions of planned community projects discussed later in the session.
What happens next
Superintendent comments at the end of the meeting noted upcoming summer programs (kindergarten readiness beginning June 15 and Bearcat Blast June 22) and summer meal sites through the Meet Up and Eat Up program. The board also authorized staff to proceed with the 2026–27 preliminary budget process; final adoption will come at a future board meeting when the district can incorporate any confirmed state funding changes.
Authorities and key figures mentioned in this article appear in the board packet and the meeting transcript: Battle Creek Public Schools; Dr. Carter (superintendent).
