Sweet Home board adopts 2026–27 budget, approves Resolution 2526-5

The Sweet Home School District board voted to adopt Resolution 2526-5, approving the district’s 2026–27 budget and the tax amounts contained in the resolution.

The board closed the public hearing on the budget at 7:00 p.m. before taking the motion. "We will close the public hearing for the budget," the chair announced. Dale moved to approve the resolution, and Jenna seconded the motion; the board approved it by voice vote.

Kevin, who provided the budget update, told the board the district is 11 months into the fiscal year and "year-to-date spending has increased by almost $927,000 over the same time period last year." He listed four primary drivers for the increase: higher 'first rates', rising health insurance costs, increased charter school payments and other tuition payments. Kevin said the district still plans to be within the totals required by the state and reminded the board that a large portion of spending posts in June.

Board members had no public commenters during the hearing and asked clarifying procedural questions about whether the resolution must be read in full; the motion as presented was accepted and carried unanimously.

The board also discussed next procedural steps tied to a successful bond question in the recent election: after the board accepts the county clerk’s abstract of votes, staff said there will be a later resolution to issue bonds (likely in the fall) and future agenda items will include a recommendation for an architect and then a general contractor.

The board adjourned the public portion of the meeting for a scheduled executive session later in the agenda.