Clintondale board hears final 2025–26 budget amendments and reviews 2026–27 proposal; ballot to restore millage set for Aug. 4

Chief Financial Officer Mr. Teratula presented final amendments to the 2025–26 budget and the proposed 2026–27 budget to the Clintondale Community Schools Board of Education at a special meeting, emphasizing grant adjustments, enrollment changes and an insurance payment that affected the district’s finances.

“Combined, total revenue increased just over $3 million,” Mr. Teratula told trustees as he reviewed the final 2025–26 numbers, saying most of the change came from newly awarded restricted grants, enrollment adjustments and a $1 million flood‑insurance payment the district received last summer. He said total expenditure adjustments for 2025–26 were about $4.1 million and that the net operational shortfall for the year was approximately $1.178 million.

The presentation moved on to the 2026–27 proposed budget. Mr. Teratula said the district is projecting a 50‑student enrollment decline and expects the state to raise the per‑pupil foundation by $250 to $10,300. The board has an existing local non‑homestead operating levy of 17.558 mills, the CFO said, and the district plans a ballot proposal on the Aug. 4 primary to restore that levy and protect it from rollbacks.

On revenue and expenditure projections for 2026–27, Mr. Teratula reported a net projected revenue change of about $4.314 million driven largely by reductions in state and grant funding as one‑time allocations expire. He said the district is modeling cost pressures — including contractual payroll changes and higher utility costs — and projected an operating shortfall of roughly $2.945 million for 2026–27, which would reduce the projected fund balance to about $2.4 million, or approximately 8% of expenditures.

A trustee asked for clarification about the flood insurance payment and the district’s coverage going forward. “Yes, so we did receive that flood insurance payment last summer, and all the work was done related to that insurance payment,” Mr. Teratula replied, adding that the district’s property‑casualty insurance program remains in place.

Trustees also asked about the implications if voters reject the millage proposal. Mr. Teratula said the district could face reductions driven by Headlee rollback provisions and noted the district could place the measure on the November ballot if needed.

Procedurally, the board confirmed a quorum, approved the meeting agenda (motion by Trustee Lisa Valeriano, support by Trustee Diane Zantini; roll‑call vote 4–0), opened the public hearing on the budgets, heard the CFO’s presentation and trustee questions, closed the public hearing (motion by Trustee Lisa Valeriano, support by Trustee Diane Zantini; roll‑call vote 4–0) and then adjourned the special meeting by unanimous recorded vote.

The board did not take a final adoption vote on the 2026–27 budget at this meeting; the presentation and the public hearing provided information and the opportunity for comment before any final action.

Next steps: the district will proceed with regular budget adoption processes and is scheduled to ask voters on Aug. 4 to restore the non‑homestead operating levy; staff will bring required adoption documents and any subsequent amendments back to the board as new information becomes available.