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Hickman Mills board approves mid‑year budget amendment and proposed 2026–27 budget amid travel freeze
Summary
The board approved Budget Amendment 2, a conservative 2026–27 proposed budget that projects an improved fund balance, and several procurement/insurance renewals; members cited prior travel reductions that saved about $10,000 in board travel.
The Hickman Mills C-1 Board of Education voted unanimously on a set of financial measures at its June meeting, approving a mid‑year budget amendment, adopting a conservative proposed operating budget for 2026–27 and ratifying several contracts and an insurance renewal.
Finance director Miss Cox presented Budget Amendment 2, saying the district realized roughly $1.0 million in net revenue improvements and about $4.1 million in expenditure reductions compared with the original plan — a net improvement the administration described as roughly $5.2 million. Miss Cox said those mid‑year changes push the anticipated ending fund balance to about $18.9 million (≈19.2% of the budget) and improve the district’s near‑term fiscal position.
The board also approved a proposed 2026–27 budget that the administration described as conservative. The plan assumes modest revenue growth tied to levy and assessed-value increases and captures recurring savings from this year’s reductions; the proposal forecasted an anticipated surplus of about $3.8 million for 2026–27 and a projected fund balance of roughly $22.7 million (≈25.1%). The superintendent recommended approval and the board approved the proposed 2026–27 budget by roll call.
Administrators and several trustees referenced prior decisions to limit out‑of‑state travel while the district worked through a shortfall; staff reported that board travel expenditures fell from $13,800 in 2024–25 to $3,800 in the most recent year. Trustees said the freeze on most out‑of‑state travel remains in place and that any future travel requests will be vetted by the executive leadership team for necessity.
The meeting also included approval of the Alliant Property Insurance Program renewal for FY 2026–27 at a premium of $1,779,621 (an ~8.7% increase) and ratification of multiple contractor agreements, including FinalSite (website services, $28,875 annual) and a PlanetBids procurement platform renewal.
Votes at a glance • Budget Amendment 2 — Approved (roll call recorded 7-0). • Proposed 2026–27 annual operating budget — Approved (roll call recorded 7-0). • API insurance renewal (Alliant) — Approved (roll call recorded 7-0). • FinalSite contract (website) — Ratified (roll call recorded 7-0). • PlanetBids procurement platform renewal — Approved (roll call recorded 7-0).
The board’s approvals set the district on a path to restore reserves while keeping a conservative outlook on future revenue, officials said. The administration flagged a county hearing on June 29 about a proposed freeze on certain revenue streams that could affect the district and asked trustees to monitor developments.
