Brookings School District adopts $63.7 million 2026–27 budget; levies set at maximum

The Brookings School District board on Monday approved a $63,695,000 budget for the 2026–27 school year and moved forward with levy requests at the maximum levels permitted under current law.

Stacy Van Beek, the district administrator who presented the budget, said the district’s 10‑year enrollment trend has held near 3,450 students and that the district used a preliminary projection of 3,417 students for budgeting. “We got a 1.4% increase in state aid to education, which also increases our teacher compensation requirements 1.4%. But we were able to offer 2.5% to our teachers and classified staff,” Van Beek said during the presentation.

Van Beek outlined how recent state property‑tax relief reshaped the district’s revenue mix: property taxes made up about 33.3% of funding last year and are projected at just under 28% this year because of state‑level adjustments and one‑time state aid. She said the district projects only a modest net increase in revenues relative to last year — roughly $21,000 — in part because the budget assumes 37 fewer students than initially estimated.

The board heard fund‑by‑fund details: the proposed general fund is nearly half the total budget (preliminary general fund $29.6 million vs a final proposed $29.364 million), and capital outlay amounts were adjusted after the board approved a supplement to move work completed before June 30 (notably a roof project and science‑lab renovations) into the prior fiscal year. Van Beek said insurance costs came in much lower than earlier estimates: a projected $933,000 line item finalized at about $783,000.

Special education planning increased about $400,000 from preliminary figures to account for potential additional out‑of‑district placements. Van Beek said the district will apply for an extraordinary‑cost fund and noted the December child count of 682 students served through special services, roughly 20% of total enrollment.

Board members praised staff for the multi‑month work that produced the balanced budget proposal. Dr. Schultz, the district superintendent, cautioned about future revenue uncertainty after temporary state aid reductions: “I do think we have to make sure on the horizon we understand that money is now not going to be there to come back to education,” he said, urging strategic planning.

Votes at a glance: the district approved the 2026–27 budget and levies; the transcript records the motion, second and final approval but does not include roll‑call tallies in the published record.

What’s next: the approved budget and levy requests will be implemented for the coming fiscal year and the district will follow up with an extraordinary‑cost application for special education as necessary.