Merton district reports unexpected state‑aid boost, recommends $5.46M preliminary levy and approves budget

District administrator Ron Russ presented the Merton Community School District’s proposed 2025–26 budget to residents at the annual meeting and budget hearing Sept. 9, saying state aid estimates came in higher than expected and recommending a preliminary levy of $5,461,799.

Russ, who identified himself as the district’s business manager and superintendent, told the gathering the district is working from preliminary numbers because several variables are still unsettled. “This is our best guess,” he said, noting three dates that will change final calculations: the 3rd‑Friday pupil count on Sept. 19, property valuations on Oct. 1 and state aid certification on Oct. 15.

Why it matters: the district’s revenue limit and final levy depend on the per‑pupil figure the state allows and on enrollment and property values. Russ said the maximum allowed per pupil for 2025–26 is $11,650 and that the district is estimating about 890 pupils for planning at this stage.

State‑aid surprise and revenue implications Russ told attendees the July 1 state aid estimate was significantly higher than anticipated. “We got about a $700,000 increase,” he said, calling it an unexpected boost that will materially affect levy planning. He cautioned that the estimate is not final until state certification in mid‑October.

Russ laid out the district’s projected revenue picture, estimating a revenue limit of about $10,611,870 and outlining that the levy total under consideration would be distributed across multiple funds. He recommended adding $100,000 to Fund 41, a facilities‑only fund, to support upcoming projects while noting that Fund 41 money cannot be used for classroom salaries.

Budget totals and major cost drivers The proposed general‑fund expenditures and revenues were presented at roughly $12.6 million; Russ said about 70% of spending is for salaries and benefits. He highlighted health insurance as the largest renewal unknown, saying the district is self‑insured and is preparing for a potential 20% increase in premiums at renewal.

Russ also discussed special‑education reimbursement, noting a state budget provision that increases reimbursement toward 40% from prior years’ lower levels; he said the district will treat any additional reimbursement conservatively until amounts are certified.

Public and board business: votes at a glance - Expenditures for the 2025–26 fiscal year: motion to set fund‑level expenditures (fund 10 and other funds as presented) was made and approved by voice vote during the meeting. (Motion moved by Ron Russ.) - School board member salaries: the board voted to set member pay at $1,200 per year; during the discussion two abstentions were recorded and the motion was approved as reflected in the meeting record. - Preliminary tax levy: the meeting recommended a preliminary levy of $5,461,799 across the specified funds; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next Russ emphasized these are recommended actions for the community to forward to the school board, which is scheduled to finalize the budget on Oct. 27 and will receive certified state aid on Oct. 15. The next annual meeting was set for Sept. 8, 2026, at 7 p.m.

The annual meeting record names Rebecca Iams as the president who presided over the session; the hearing’s budget presentation and motions were delivered on behalf of the district by Russ. The board and administration will revisit figures after the September and October state and valuation updates before making the final levy and budget determinations.