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East Aurora School Board hears FY27 budget showing $6.8M gap; district outlines cost-savings
Summary
At the July 20 meeting, Dr. Michael Engel presented a FY27 preliminary budget projecting $265.65 million in revenue and $272.44 million in expenditures, leaving an estimated $6.8 million gap. The board discussed enrollment declines, reduced state evidence-based funding after a tier change, and proposed cost-saving measures including bringing paraprofessionals in‑house and pursuing competitive grants.
Dr. Michael Engel, presenting the district’s FY27 preliminary budget on July 20, told the East Aurora School District 131 board the district projects $265,650,650 in total revenue and $272,439,790 in expenditures, leaving an estimated noncapital deficit of about $6.8 million for FY27.
The shortfall reflects multiple pressures, Engel said: a change in the state funding tier that reduced expected evidence-based funding (he estimated roughly $2 million in new evidence-based funds in FY27 versus $6–7 million had the district remained in tier 1), the end of federal ESSER grants in FY25 and lingering repayments to the state tied to a $30 million transportation claim the district is repaying over five years.
"We should be getting some finalized grants...and on August 10 we'll present the tentative FY27 budget to the board," Engel said, describing the public‑display and hearing timeline that will lead to final adoption in September.
Why it matters: the education fund drives most district spending. Engel said about 75% of revenue is budgeted for the educational fund and that salaries and benefits account for roughly two‑thirds of expenses. The presentation also showed enrollment down more than 17% from 2018 to 2025 while staff levels increased about 3%, creating a structural mismatch the district must address to reach fiscal stability.
Board members and attendees pressed administrators on options. One board member said they would not feel comfortable voting on a resolution tonight; Engel confirmed the district may present a resolution on August 10 to place the tentative budget on public display, beginning the required 30‑day public review and leading to a public hearing and final vote on September 21.
Planned and realized cost reductions listed in the presentation include about $7.1 million from retirements and non‑replacements, roughly $600,000 from bringing 30 outsourced paraprofessionals in‑house for FY27, and savings from moving some services in‑house (HVAC work, school improvement planning) and renegotiated insurance and benefits administration. The district also reported securing about $4.1 million in competitive grants targeted for specific facility and safety projects.
Superintendent Dr. Halverson and board members repeatedly emphasized the goal of balancing fiscal responsibility with limiting impacts on students. "We're trying to realign spending to enrollment and correctly right‑size during that time period," Engel said. Board members noted the district will continue to refine the budget as state and federal numbers finalize in August.
Next steps: the board is expected to consider a resolution August 10 to put the tentative FY27 budget on public display; a 30‑day public comment period and a public hearing scheduled for September 21 would precede final adoption.
(Attributions: Dr. Michael Engel; Superintendent Dr. Halverson; board members and public questioners as recorded in the meeting transcript.)
