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District previews FY25 funding: enrollment up but federal grants fall, prompting $1.5M shortfall
Summary
Director of Business and Finance Ebony Thompson told trustees enrollment rose by 60 students and state aid per pupil is $968, but expiring ESSER and related federal grants reduced federal revenue from about $2 million to $782,000, producing an estimated $1.5 million decrease in general fund revenue to be addressed in a forthcoming budget amendment.
Madison District Public Schools presented a preview of FY25 funding sources at its Jan. 6 organizational meeting, flagging an enrollment-driven increase in state aid alongside a substantial drop in federal grant revenue.
Ebony Thompson, the district irector of business and finance, told trustees enrollment increased by about 60 students and the district—alculates a foundation allowance of $968 per pupil. She said state aid reflects the enrollment change (rising from 878 students in FY24 to an estimated 939 in FY25), which increases that component of the general fund.
However, Thompson reported a steep reduction in federal revenue compared with the previous year. "For last year we had 2 million [dollars] in fiscal year 24 and this year we only have 782,000," she said, attributing the drop to expiring ESSER and COVID-related grants and noting that some grants awarded in 2024 were not awarded this year. The net effect, she said, was an estimated $1.5 million decrease to the general fund for FY25.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about how "at-risk" and special education funding is determined; staff explained that the student information system and building administrators verify eligibility for specific categories and that local efforts are underway to increase completion of a new "education benefits" form that affects Title funding. District staff said they have reached 210 families with completed forms and estimate roughly 20% of families at each building have not yet completed the form.
Thompson said the district will present a formal budget amendment at the next meeting and provide the supporting spreadsheet at least a week in advance so trustees can review and submit questions.
The board acknowledged the funding challenge and scheduled the budget amendment for the next meeting, with the sinking fund and millage reports to follow.
