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Albert Lea School Board hears FY25 revised budget showing $2.65 million shortfall
Summary
The Albert Lea school board was told the district faces a $2.65 million shortfall in the FY25 revised budget and that an additional $580,000 in cuts will be needed beyond earlier reductions to preserve the fund balance; trustees pressed staff on staffing and capital costs.
At its March 3 meeting, the Albert Lea Public School District board heard a presentation of a revised FY25 budget that projects a $2.65 million shortfall for the fiscal year. Executive Director Dubahn told trustees that without further adjustments the district’s fund balance could become a deficit within two years.
Dubahn said current-year expenses already exceed revenue by $661,000. The revised budget projects $59.87 million in revenue — an increase of $1.71 million driven by additional general education aid, grants and compensatory funding — against $60.83 million in expenditures, an increase of $2.37 million. He identified major expenditure drivers including $1.03 million in higher salaries and benefits and $778,000 in capital spending. Dubahn also said reductions of $2.06 million had been projected to maintain a 12% fund balance, but an additional $580,000 in cuts will now be required.
Board members asked for more detail on which programs and positions would be affected and whether one-time COVID-relief funding had masked ongoing costs. The administration noted that some capital purchases — including new elementary furniture — were paid from COVID relief funds.
The board took no final vote on specific reductions at the meeting; Dubahn presented the revised FY25 budget for review and further consideration by trustees.
