Trussville City Schools holds first public hearing on proposed $80.2 million FY2026–27 budget

Jim Kirkland, who presented the district's financial report, told the Trussville City Schools Board of Education at its July meeting that the district's combined budget across five funds shows $80,200,000 in revenues and $81,750,000 in expenditures in the draft FY2026—27 plan. "We're about $200,000 short, but I think most of that will be made up in August and September," Kirkland said.

Kirkland said the June financial extract has been uploaded to the state, all bank accounts have been reconciled to the general ledger, and routine transactions are within the board's legal authorization. He described the general fund as the district's largest operating fund, with $67,350,000 in general fund revenues and $65,900,000 in general fund expenditures. Instruction and instructional support together account for roughly two-thirds of spending: $49,200,000 on instruction and about 15% on instructional support.

Kirkland identified several drivers behind the draft figures: a modest enrollment decline (Average Daily Membership fell from about 4,962 last year to 4,889 this year), which reduced earned teacher units by about 3.57, and an increase in fringe benefits driven by higher insurance costs. He said the FY2027 foundation program allocation is $38,950,000, up by roughly $1.42 million from the prior year; local 10-mil match was listed as $5,990,000. "The foundation program is purely based off of ADM that drives the whole thing," Kirkland said.

Kirkland also reviewed capital projects and the district's five-year plan, identifying active projects including the C wing, security bollards, roof replacements, stadium track replacement and a playground upgrade at Payne. He said several projects remain in planning and that a recommendation on capital priorities will return to the board in August.

On next steps, Kirkland said this is a first draft and the district is awaiting a few state and federal allocations and county revenue abstracts before finalizing numbers. He reminded the board the second public hearing is scheduled for the next board meeting on Aug. 17 and that the board must adopt the budget by the state's Sept. 15 deadline.

The board advanced routine business during the meeting: members approved the consent agenda and personnel recommendations by voice vote. The budget will return for final consideration after the district incorporates remaining allocations and makes minor edits.

What they said

"We have, just a slight decrease in revenue'for right now between now and the end of the year. We're about $200,000 short," Kirkland said. "So, by the time August comes around, the general fund should be balanced and, shouldn't be drawing down."