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Albert Gallatin Area School Board approves preliminary $64.44M budget and authorizes staff furloughs for 2026–27
Summary
The Albert Gallatin Area School Board approved a preliminary $64,443,714 general fund budget and passed a resolution authorizing furloughs and nonrenewals for the 2026–27 school year; the board also approved a list of specific furloughs effective July 1, 2026.
The Albert Gallatin Area School Board on May 20 approved a proposed preliminary 2026–27 general fund budget of $64,443,714 and voted to adopt a resolution authorizing furloughs, demotions or nonrenewals of professional and temporary professional staff effective with the start of the 2026–27 school term.
The board’s finance and personnel actions came at the D. Ferd Swaney cafeteria during a broadly attended meeting. The board recorded motions to pay prior‑month obligations of $3,999,475.14, current general fund bills of $1,434,061.17 and cafeteria fund bills of $122,717.55. On a procurement vote the board also granted permission to enter a contract with Securly for web filtering and classroom monitoring services at $18,826, replacing GoGuardian and producing a projected savings of $10,252.
The preliminary budget was presented and approved “subject to change upon final passage,” the minutes state. The furlough resolution — described by the board as necessary to adjust professional staffing levels for the coming term — passed with recorded votes listing six ayes (Howard, Robinson, Moser, Porupski, Miller, Myers) and one abstention (Paul Dunham). On a subsequent motion the board approved a specific list of staff furloughs and related personnel adjustments effective July 1, 2026; that motion was recorded as passing with all members present voting in favor.
The specific furlough list approved included one SEIU 10‑month secretary (Lana Groover), a SEIU custodian (Kenneth Lewis), three hall monitors (Donald Moats, Rita Reese, Phillip Pope), four 180‑day teacher substitutes (Amber Gibbs, Kiley Dugan, Coleman Hunt, Lauryn Price) and five elementary intervention specialists/tutors (Brenda Ceramak, Carol Whetzel, Sarah Tinker, Skylar Wellington, Beth Guty). The minutes record the furloughs as effective with the start of the 2026–27 school year (July 1, 2026).
Public comment preceded the votes. Kristin Dunham addressed the board asking that agendas be posted to Facebook and that meetings be broadcast; she also raised concerns about staff furloughs, class sizes, online cyber programs and potential tax increases. The minutes do not record a formal response to those concerns beyond the board’s votes.
Superintendent Christopher Pegg and business staff presented the financial materials; the board also approved routine personnel motions, retirements and hires during the meeting. The minutes show the board accepted the retirements of Saunie Jones (cafeteria, effective June 3, 2026) and Paula Coville (health room aide, effective June 2, 2026), and awarded several instructional and cafeteria positions for 2026–27.
The board set its next regular meeting for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the D. Ferd Swaney cafeteria.
