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Vermillion School Board adopts FY 2026–27 budget, sets levy requests
Summary
The Vermillion School District 13‑1 board voted to adopt the FY 2026–27 budget, approving annual totals across six funds and submitting levy requests to the county auditor after a budget hearing that highlighted enrollment declines and a new state grant.
After a budget hearing, the Vermillion School District 13‑1 board voted to adopt its FY 2026–27 annual budget on July 13.
Kevin Kosher, the district business manager, read the resolution: “Be it resolved that the school board of the Vermillion School District thirteen‑one, after duly considering the proposed budget and its changes thereto, published in accordance with SDCL 13‑11‑2, hereby approves and adopts its proposed budget and changes thereto to its annual budget for the fiscal year 07/01/2026 through 06/30/2027.” The resolution listed adopted totals for each fund.
The adopted totals the board recorded were: general fund $12,847,288; capital outlay fund $3,412,475; special education fund $3,429,080; debt service fund $1,387,500; food service program fund $1,034,000; and enterprise fund $175,800. Kosher also read the levy requests and bond/opt‑out dollar amounts that will be certified to the county auditor.
Board members debated the budget assumptions during the hearing. Administration said the FY27 budget assumes enrollment of about 1,280 students (down from a budgeted 1,340), a factor that reduces property tax and state aid projections. Officials told the board they expect a $240,000 state grant through the Building Assets Reducing Risks (B.A.R.R.) program in FY27 (about $720,000 over three years) and plan a $300,000 transfer from capital‑outlay flexibility to cover temporary general fund expenditures.
“Enrollment is one of the main drivers of the revenue and our budget as a whole,” the finance lead said during the presentation, noting the final certified student count comes at the end of September and that reserves give the district time to respond to worse‑than‑expected enrollment or federal funding changes.
The motion to adopt the budget was moved by Ryan Johnson and seconded by Jacob Skelton; the board voted in favor by voice and the chair declared the motion passes. Administration explained adoption gives the business manager authority to contact county auditors with the levy requests.
What happens next: the district will certify levy requests to county auditors and continue to monitor enrollment and federal grant receipts; officials said reserves will be used cautiously if revenues fall short.
