Lexington School District 2 adopts $132.5 million 2026-27 budget with raises and added special-education support

The Lexington School District 2 Board of Trustees voted June 18 to adopt a balanced $132,486,257 general fund budget for fiscal year 2026-27, approving pay increases and additional special-education support while authorizing a 2-mill increase in operating millage.

During the meeting, Finance Officer Skye Strickland presented the administration's second reading of the budget, displaying updated line items for local and state revenue, transfers in and planned use of fund balance. Strickland said the recommended budget includes a roughly $3,000 pay increase across the teacher salary schedule, a $3,000 increase for teacher assistants and additional increases to other support positions; she also said the budget provides a $300,000 increase for special-education teaching assistants.

"On this slide, you see the budget impact by line item... On here, you will also see the additional TA's for SPED, which is a increase of approximately $300,000," Strickland said.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Angela Cooper framed the budget around the board's priorities and student needs, telling trustees the administration aims to maintain a healthy fund balance and to support staff and students. Trustees discussed measurable outcomes, classroom-size considerations and the timing of interventions at underperforming schools; several trustees called for clearer reporting to track student progress.

The adopted budget includes a two-mill increase in operating millage that Strickland estimated would generate about $538,622 and, by administration presentation, would raise approximately $30 per year for a $250,000 secondary legal residence. Strickland said the district's fund balance stood at about 23% as of June 30, 2025, higher than state and board minimums.

Trustee [speaker 3] moved to accept the administration's proposed 2026-27 general fund budget; the motion was seconded and the board voted to approve the budget.

Votes at a glance

- 2026-27 general fund budget (adopted): motion to accept administration proposal; outcome: approved (motion carried). - Title I and Title III application authorization (approved): board authorized administration to apply for federal funds. - Athlete PE 1-4 course (approved): board approved locally coded high-school course for 2026-27. - First reading: content and credit recovery policy (IKADD) (approved for first reading). - Personnel appointments (approved): board accepted administration recommendations after executive session.

What changed

The approved budget increases employee compensation and adds staff positions intended to support instruction and special education, while relying on a modest millage increase and a planned use of fund balance to balance revenues and expenses. The administration said the salary and fringe portion remains the largest share of expenditures at roughly 84% of the general fund.

Next steps

The administration said it will implement the budget as approved and continue reporting to the board; trustees requested clearer, periodic reports on student progress and the impact of added positions.

Sources: presentation and discussion at the Lexington School District 2 Board of Trustees meeting, June 18, 2026.