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District finance staff reports stronger-than-expected FY2526 closeout, flags potential FY2627 revenue loss
Summary
District finance staff told the Taylor County School Board that FY2526 closed with higher enrollment and an improved fund balance; staff warned state projections for FY2627 could cut funding if FTE drops, and outlined staffing adjustments that would yield preliminary savings of roughly $523,000.
Lacey, district finance staff, told the Taylor County School Board that the district closed fiscal year 2526 with higher-than-expected average daily membership and a stronger fund balance than projected.
At a workshop presentation, Lacey said the district’s full-time-equivalent (FTE) count came in at 2,193 versus a projection of 2,180, producing roughly $315,000 in additional revenue. She reported a beginning fund balance of about $11.0 million and said preliminary closeout figures show expenditures lower than anticipated, leaving an available fund balance near 15 percent after reserves — above the board’s 8 percent policy floor.
The presentation turned to FY2627 projections, where Lacey said the state is forecasting a drop to about 2,052 FTE — 127 fewer students — which would translate to an estimated revenue decline of about $767,000 if that projection holds. She warned those FY2627 numbers are preliminary and subject to change when official state numbers are released.
Lacey outlined staffing adjustments tied to projected enrollment shifts: the primary school is expected to reduce instructional positions from 44 to 41, the elementary from 41 to 38, the middle-school allocation from 34 to 33 and the high school from 39 to 38. She said noninstructional staffing would fall modestly (from 190 to 187 positions) and described anticipated savings for next year: $239,000 from staffing adjustments, $81,000 from retirements, $53,000 for added assistant principals, $92,000 in mental‑health contract savings, and an insurance decline of about $131,000, which she summarized as total preliminary savings of approximately $523,000.
Board members asked questions about debt obligations and FEMA closeout; Lacey said the district’s FDIM loan at 1.5 percent remains until FEMA applications are finished and that outstanding payables processed after the closeout run could slightly change final numbers. She emphasized that FY2627 figures are preliminary and that the district still needs the state’s adopted data before finalizing the budget.
The board did not take final budget action at the workshop; staff said they will return with updated numbers after state figures and remaining payables are reconciled.
