Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Preliminary OPS budget shows $50.6M state-aid shortfall and proposed levy increase
Summary
Vice President Snipes told the board the budget and audit committee reviewed a preliminary 2026–27 budget that assumes a $50.6 million loss of state aid, proposes an 8.2¢ total levy increase and a $10 million (1.18%) increase in the preliminary budget.
Vice President Snipes reported to the board Aug. 17 on the budget and audit committee’s review of the preliminary 2026–27 budget and related community updates.
Snipes said the committee reviewed academic and implementation data tied to the district’s "moonshot" goal and concluded the district faces a $50,600,000 reduction in state aid and district revenues. To offset that loss, the preliminary proposal includes an 8.2¢ increase in the total levy and would raise the general fund levy; the administration describes the overall preliminary budget increase as roughly $10,000,000 or 1.18%.
Snipes said the preliminary expense budget includes proposed increases of about $28,100,000 largely for staff wages, special education services and transportation, and reductions of about $18,100,000 in contractors, services and contingency reserves. The budget and audit committee will meet again in late August; the district budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, and a Douglas County joint public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the Douglas Civic Center.
The report framed the approach as disciplined measures to manage a significant funding reduction while trying to protect classroom services; trustees did not vote on the levy at this meeting — the item remains in the committee and administrative review cycle.
