Board approves Second Interim Report as district faces multi-year deficits

The Mark West Union School District Board on March 10 approved its 2025-26 Second Interim Report after Chief Business Official Renee Loeza outlined revenue shifts and rising costs. Loeza told trustees the district saw "an increase to Basic Aid Supplemental by about $900,000.00; Special Education rates from one outside source were about $500,000.00 less than expected," and that the district "still contributes over $4,000,000.00 from the General Fund."

Loeza warned that pension costs have risen sharply and the district is drawing on reserves to cover those increases. "We are currently deficit spending which we expect will continue over the next two consecutive years," she said. Trustees voted 4-0 to adopt the report, with Trustee Brian Burke absent.

The board’s approval affirms the district’s current budget posture while directing staff and trustees to monitor revenues and expenditures through the remainder of the fiscal year. The vote followed discussion about revenue assumptions and the need to preserve reserve levels; no additional budget actions were adopted at the meeting. The board will revisit financial projections in subsequent interim reports and at future meetings.