School board approves guiding budget document, preliminary 2026–27 budget and tentative support‑staff contract

At its June 25 meeting, the South Washington County Schools board approved several action items aimed at fiscal planning: a guiding change document to frame approximately $13 million in budget adjustments, the district’s preliminary 2026–27 budget and a tentative collective bargaining agreement with district office support specialists covering July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028.

Superintendent Julie Nielsen said the guiding change document will serve as “guard rails as we begin our work around budget adjustments” and noted the plan reflects about $13 million in base reductions (excluding other state or local levy dollars). She told the board administration does not expect to “levy our way out” of the adjustment and described projected deficits presented by staff: “our deficit at the fiscal year end of ’27 would be 8 million and then with no further adjustments made it would be 27 by the close of the ’28th school year,” as summarized at the meeting.

The board approved the guiding change document and then voted to adopt the preliminary 2026–27 revenue and expenditure budget, which administration said must be adopted by Minnesota school districts by the June 30 statutory deadline. The motion to approve the preliminary budget was moved by Ryan Clark and seconded by Louise Hines; the board carried the motion.

The board also approved the Northeast Metro 916 long‑term facility maintenance program budget for FY28 (total program $600,500), with South Washington County Schools’ proposed share noted in the presentation as $116,87 (to be levied in 2027); board members asked for follow‑up details on longevity pay calculations.

Abby Baker, director of human resources and operations, presented a tentative agreement with the district office support specialists bargaining unit. She summarized economic terms recorded in the transcript as a 3.25% increase effective July 1, 2026; a 3% increase effective July 1, 2027; a step‑six adjustment (transcribed as “55426”); health‑insurance district contribution increases of 15% on Jan. 1, 2027 and Jan. 1, 2028; and a dental contribution cited in the transcript as “12028” toward the family dental plan effective July 1, 2027. Administration recommended approval and the board approved the tentative agreement.

Board members approved all items by voice vote or roll call as noted in the meeting; staff said additional clarifications and implementation details (such as exact longevity pay tables and final levies) would be provided to board members and appear in future materials.

The meeting then moved to community updates and summer programming before adjourning.