Brewster USD 314 board adopts 2024–25 budget, sets local option budget at 33%

The Brewster Board of Education unanimously adopted the district’s 2024–25 budget and a Local Option Budget (LOB) set at 33% after a roll-call vote during its Sept. 16 meeting.

Board President Sarah Starns called for a roll-call vote to adopt the Revenue Neutral Rate resolution as presented in a prior hearing. Nicolas Schroeder moved to adopt the budget, and Mike Palmer seconded the motion; the motion carried 5 for, 0 opposed. The board stated that needs-assessment materials and state-assessment results were provided, reviewed and used in the budget approval process.

The board also adopted the LOB Resolution at 33% for the coming budget year, a local decision that affects the district’s levy allocations for operating expenditures. Board members who voted yes were Heather McDonald, Nicolas Schroeder, Kassie Selby, Mike Palmer and Sarah Starns; two members (Jance McKee and BJ Stephens) were not marked present on the roll call.

The board simultaneously authorized the clerk and superintendent to investigate investment options to increase district interest earnings. That motion—separate from the budget approval—authorized Board Clerk Tarra Baumfalk and Superintendent Jessica McCoy to research certificates of deposit seeking the highest interest rate and carried on a 5-0 vote.

What happens next: The district will implement the adopted budget for the 2024–25 fiscal year and proceed with any banking/investment steps staff identify. The board indicated it used the provided needs and assessment materials in its deliberations; no amendments to the adopted budget were announced at the meeting.