Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance committee warns of budget shortfalls, previews levy vote
Summary
The Grand Haven Area Public Schools Finance & Operations Committee reviewed a final 2025-26 amendment showing a $2.0M deficit and a proposed 2026-27 General Fund budget with a $289,100 shortfall, while noting enrollment and the final state budget remain key unknowns. The millage will be levied in summer and faces a roll-call vote at Monday’s Board meeting.
The Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board Finance & Operations Committee received a budget update June 9 that outlined both an immediate shortfall and continued fiscal uncertainty heading into the 2026-27 school year. Michael MacDonald, presenter, said the district’s 2025-26 final budget amendment projects a final fund balance of 7.36% and a $2.0 million deficit, and he described this year’s amendment as carrying more conservative buffers than last year.
MacDonald also presented the proposed 2026-27 General Fund budget, which shows a projected deficit of $289,100 and a projected fund balance of 7.32%. He cautioned that the proposal reflects multiple unknowns — including final enrollment counts and the state budget — and that three union contracts were factored into the current proposal but could affect final results. "Changes will need to be made to factor in actual enrollment and the final state budget," MacDonald said, summarizing the committee briefing.
Committee members were reminded that certain funds have usage restrictions: the Student Activity Fund is intended to be spent down as revenue is collected, the Food Service Fund is currently being drawn down, and the Sinking Fund is restricted to building and site projects. MacDonald concluded the district is moving toward a goal of exceeding a 10% fund balance over time.
The committee also heard that the 2026 millage (L4029) will be levied 100% in the summer as previously adopted; MacDonald said the formal roll-call vote is scheduled for the Board’s Monday meeting. The committee approved the May 5, 2026 minutes by consensus and took no formal votes on the budgets at this meeting.
What’s next: the Board will hold the roll-call vote on the millage at its next full meeting; staff will continue to refine the proposed budget as enrollment and state funding become clearer.
