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Finance director reports improved year-end position but warns of budget pressures from state raises
Summary
Miss Hines reported the 2025–26 year closed with no new budget amendments, an estimated $100,000 addition to fund balance and an estimated unassigned fund balance around $4.5M (6.2%); she warned teacher pay increases from the state will force local trade-offs and plans a budget resolution in September.
Finance director Miss Hines told the board that the district closed fiscal 2025'26 with no additional budget amendments and an estimated modest increase to fund balance. She said the beginning fund balance was $4.6 million and she estimates an unassigned fund balance of about $4.5 million, roughly 6.2% of operating funds, below her unofficial 8% target recommended by auditors.
Miss Hines summarized local funding mechanics and the split between district schools and charter schools; she emphasized that enrollment counts (day 20) determine local funding and that small percentage shifts can change allocations by roughly $200,000. She also warned trustees that the new state budget (passed July 7) includes average increases of about 8% for certified staff and a 17% increase for beginning teachers, raising retirement and health costs that will require additional local budgeting decisions.
She said the district will continue refining reductions and expects the finance committee to meet Aug. 25 with a target for a September budget resolution.
