Batavia USD 101 opens public hearings on proposed 2027 budget and $11.66M transfers

Batavia USD 101 opened public hearings on its proposed 2027 budget and the set of fund transfers that would support summer capital work.

Treasurer Tony told the board the tentative budget shows a $4,400,000 difference between revenues and expenditures, reflecting one-time spending tied to the district’s 'Warm, Safe, and Dry' capital plan. He said the district projects roughly $132,000,000 in revenue versus $136,000,000 in expenditures for fiscal 2027, and that the district plans about $11,500,000 in capital projects this year. "We do show a $4,400,000 difference between our revenues and our expenditures," Tony said during the presentation. He described the gap as not structural this year but warned forecasts show increasing risk in 2029–2030 if state support continues to decline.

Tony also reported enrollment projections at about 5,034 students (a decline of roughly 49 students in the model) and a planned reduction of 13 full-time-equivalent positions from the prior year. On the fund transfer hearing, administration proposed moving $7,000,000 from the education fund and $4,655,855 from the operations and maintenance fund into the capital projects fund — a combined $11,655,855 — calling that "the vast majority of funding" for current capital work.

Board members asked clarifying questions about staffing ratios and the assumptions behind revenue projections, including how new residential development affects tax revenue timing. Administration said some state 'on‑behalf' payments for teachers' pensions are recorded in the budget but do not touch district coffers and that local property taxes remain the district’s primary revenue source. The board closed both hearings and will consider formal adoption of the budget and a resolution approving the transfers at the August meeting.