Mark West Union Board approves First Interim report as CFO warns reserves may fall below policy level

Chief Business Official Renee Loeza presented the Mark West Union School District's First Interim Report for the 2025–26 fiscal year, telling the Board that "the district will be unable to maintain the 17% reserve as specified by Board Policy by the 2027-2028 school year" if current economic trends continue. She noted higher district contributions for special education, ongoing pension obligations, negotiated salary increases over recent years and the effect of sustained high interest rates.

Trustee Brian Burke moved to approve the First Interim Report; Trustee Victor McKnight seconded the motion. The Board adopted the report on a 4–0 vote with Trustee Smith recorded as absent. Loeza told the Board that the Governor's January 2026 budget release would clarify state funding prospects and that staff would update projections after that release. Minutes show Loeza also reiterated the district has already entered deficit spending and is monitoring the impact on reserves.

The motion formalizes the Board's receipt and acceptance of the interim financial projections; it does not by itself change appropriations. The district's next formal budget checkpoint will follow the Governor's January budget and any adjustments will be reported at future meetings. No specific reductions or program cuts were approved at this meeting.