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Springfield R‑XII unveils 2026–27 budget recommendation amid falling state aid and proposed staffing changes
Summary
District staff presented a 2026–27 budget recommendation that assumes $4.6 million more in local tax revenue but a $1.1 million drop in state aid, proposes $6.4 million in salary increases and identifies $4.3 million in reductions (about 66.78 positions) and a $10 million transfer to capital; formal adoption is scheduled for the June 23 meeting.
Cara Stacil presented the Springfield R‑XII School District’s formal 2026–27 budget recommendation, telling the board the draft meets board policy DB and is on track to meet the statutory July 1 adoption deadline. She said the document will be posted for public review and returned for a formal vote at the June 23 regular meeting.
Stacil said the district is projecting an estimated $4.6 million increase in local tax revenue next year, based on an assumed $50 million in new construction and a 95% collection rate, but warned the district faces headwinds from declining state aid and enrollment. “We are estimating a decrease next year of about $1.1 million” in state aid, she said, attributing most of that drop to a lower state adequacy target and enrollment declines.
On the expenditure side, Stacil noted salaries and benefits account for about 80% of the operating fund. The recommendation includes an estimated $6.4 million increase for salaries, which the presentation said covers gross pay plus employer retirement and payroll tax matches. At the same time, budget leaders identified roughly $4.3 million of reductions and about 66.78 positions to align spending with projected revenues.
The draft also proposes a roughly $10 million transfer from operating to the capital projects fund to support planned HVAC work and a stadium renovation; Stacil said that transfer is the primary driver of a projected ~3 percentage‑point decline in the operating fund balance to about 19% under the five‑year outlook. She emphasized the projection uses historical assumptions and that amendments could follow as more up‑to‑date valuation and levy information becomes available in August.
Stacil described existing dedicated supports for student behavior and success—about 60 positions and roughly $4.8 million already in the budget—and said collective bargaining outcomes will be presented to the board at the June 23 meeting.
Board members asked for clarifications about the net changes in purchase, service and supply lines and about information‑systems savings and project management cost reductions, which Stacil attributed to efficiency measures and reduced system licensing/project costs.
Next steps: the comprehensive budget document is posted for review; the board is scheduled to consider formal adoption at its June 23 regular meeting. If adopted, staff said budget amendments may follow once final assessed valuation and levy calculations are complete.
