Board subcommittee outlines files, warns of roughly $15M gap before Aug. 25 decision

The board’s special meeting on Aug. 3 opened with the chair explaining that a subcommittee led by Dr. Wynne has been reviewing budget documents and will recommend whether the district should exceed or remain revenue neutral at the Aug. 25 meeting. The subcommittee asked staff to provide files on mileage reimbursement, purchase-card receipts, cell phones and data plans and the recently adopted AI guidance so the full board can evaluate possible savings.

“We already have over $11,000,000 in anticipated expenses for this coming school year above and beyond what that was last year,” the chair said, then illustrated how cutting a mill would reduce roughly $1,400,000 in local revenue but reduce state aid as well, yielding a net effect the chair described as “around roughly $4,000,000” — meaning the board would have to identify about $15,000,000 in reductions or offsets to remain revenue neutral. The chair added that about 85% of district spending is personnel costs, limiting the options for large savings.

Dr. Wynne told the board the subcommittee has been operating under the principles of trust, accountability and transparency and has been systematically requesting and reviewing financial records. The committee flagged several line items for further review and asked staff to produce revised departmental budgets and detailed support for reimbursements and gift/grant offsets prior to the next budget vote.

Members and staff discussed specific levers that have already been adjusted: departments were asked to reduce budgets in travel and food lines, and some travel was reduced systemwide. Staff said many departments were asked to take a 2% reduction and that targeted travel reductions yielded additional savings. The superintendent noted that staff will provide balanced departmental budgets this week and that the subcommittee will continue meeting to refine figures and draft policy recommendations.