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Board reviews preliminary FY27 budget; staff flag tax‑equalization, software and staffing costs
Summary
Staff presented a preliminary FY27 budget showing a roughly $130 million total budget, explained county‑level levy equalization under House Bill 156, one‑time and ongoing cost drivers (software, health insurance subsidy, new classroom hires) and scheduled final adoption for August 17.
Bozeman School District staff gave trustees a detailed preview of the district’s preliminary FY27 budget, highlighting the local impacts of House Bill 156 (county levy equalization), planned staffing additions and one‑time moves to stabilize insurance costs.
Lacey explained that under House Bill 156 the county will levy base amounts across Gallatin County, which will make district line items appear to decrease while county taxes rise; "we won't know if we're net winners or losers...until tax bills are mailed out in October," staff said. The district moved about $400,000 in software costs (PowerSchool and Tyler) into the general fund this year and used a $500,000 one‑time transfer into the self‑insured health fund to limit employee premium increases to 12% rather than a projected 16–17%.
Staff described staffing and program additions including two classrooms at Irving Elementary with two certified teachers and two paras, new counseling FTEs at each high school (approx. $160,000), and negotiated salary and stipend increases that together represent roughly $3.9 million in added expenses. Staff reiterated these figures are preliminary and final numbers will be presented for adoption on August 17 when Department of Revenue taxable values are available.
