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District reports a modest year‑end shortfall and cautions of larger multi‑year budget gap
Summary
Administration reported preliminary figures showing an approximate $33,930 deficit for the 2025–26 fiscal year and warned of a larger projected shortfall in 2026–27 without additional state aid or adjustments; the board authorized temporary borrowing to cover cash‑flow timing between July 1 and final budget adoption.
Superintendent Brent McCurdy presented a preliminary June 2026 financial report showing anticipated expenses of $16,411,006.38 and a year‑end shortfall of roughly $33,930 for the 2025–26 school year. He described the number as preliminary while the district's audit work remains underway.
"When we have all of our activity accounted for, which includes fund 27 transfer of 1,480,000 in outstanding payables of 38,000, our anticipated expenses are $16,411,006.38 and that puts us into a deficit of just $33,930," McCurdy said, noting the audit is not complete and numbers could change.
Board members were shown a draft 2026–27 projection that, absent additional state budget adjustments, could produce a materially larger multi‑year deficit. McCurdy outlined district options for responding to long‑term shortfalls: rely on fund balance and attrition in the short term, consider deferred maintenance or staff reductions as last resorts, or pursue a levy‑override referendum to raise revenue.
The board also approved a routine resolution to authorize temporary borrowing between July 1 and the board's adoption of a final budget (typically in November) to maintain cash flow while state equalized values and other figures are finalized. McCurdy explained the timing constraint is tied to state reporting deadlines and that short‑term borrowing is an established stopgap used by districts.
McCurdy emphasized the district's relatively strong fund balance (about 40 percent) and described the current figures as manageable in the near term, while urging attention to multi‑year funding trends.
Next steps: administrators will continue finalizing the audit, refine 2026–27 projections, and return to the board with updated numbers and any recommended actions if midyear trends change.
