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Caledonia board adopts 2026–27 budget, approves amendments and a slate of contracts
Summary
The Caledonia Community Schools board approved a final 2025–26 budget amendment, adopted the proposed 2026–27 budget, and approved multiple contracts and capital projects including a food-service renewal and UPS purchase. Trustees discussed fund-balance scenarios and staffing tied to preschool expansion.
The Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education on June 15 approved a final amendment to the 2025–26 budget, adopted the proposed 2026–27 budget and passed a series of contract awards and capital expenditures.
District staff told trustees the amended 2025–26 budget shows $75.1 million in revenues and about $76.22 million in expenditures, producing an estimated $1.1 million shortfall and a projected 17.1% fund balance that the district expects will improve after the audit. For the 2026–27 proposal, staff said the budget assumptions include adding preschool classrooms (about 137 FTE in enrollment) and a $250 per-student foundation increase; those assumptions produced a draft $76.5 million revenue estimate against about $80.5 million in expenditures, a $3.9 million gap and a worst-case fund-balance projection near 9.1% (staff said audit adjustments and savings would likely move that closer to 13%).
Trustees asked clarifying questions about accrual accounting, the state-required category-by-category spending limits and the district’s fund-balance target. The presenter said the packet includes the state form L-4029 and that the district expects to collect the full 18 mills for the operating levy and maintain a 7-mill debt levy.
On motions and votes, the board adopted the 2025–26 budget amendment and then approved the 2026–27 budget resolution by roll call. The meeting’s consent agenda also passed. Trustees then approved a set of negotiated staff contracts for the district technology group and central office support staff; presenters said the tentative agreements are three-year contracts with a wage reopener in year two.
The board approved several procurement and facilities contracts, including: renewal of Chartwells as the district’s food-service provider for 2026–27 (year three of a five-year contract), purchase and installation of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system from Hedrickk Associates ($60,799.31), auxiliary-gym renovations at Craft Meadows Intermediate School ($39,900), paving of the Calplex access road ($432,367.61), hazardous-materials abatement at Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center ($52,500), purchase of band instruments from Marshall Music Company ($31,996) and cafeteria furniture from Kuster Office Furniture (cost listed in packet). The board also approved its annual MHSA resolution to remain in the association.
Several trustees commented during the food-service item about ongoing concerns with quality versus cost. One trustee abstained from the Chartwells vote because of a stated personal conflict involving a spouse employed by the vendor; otherwise the listed motions passed by roll call.
The meeting closed with routine board business and adjournment.
