SANB board reviews final reading of 2025–26 budget draft ahead of June vote

The St. Anthony–New Brighton School Board on May 20 received a final reading of the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget and heard from administration about revenue projections, staffing changes and planned reductions ahead of a June 3 adoption vote.

Superintendent Renee Corneille and Executive Director of Academics Hope Fagerland presented a draft that shows proposed general fund revenue of $26.96 million and proposed expenditures of $26.58 million. The presentation documents an estimated net general-fund surplus of $375,466 under the draft and projected unassigned general-fund balance of roughly $3.09 million entering the year. Key revenue drivers cited in the draft include projected basic general education aid of $7,480.50 per pupil unit and an operating referendum levy expected to yield about $5.74 million.

The draft enumerates planned staffing increases of about 3.60 full-time equivalents, including an ELL teacher and additional ADSIS staffing at the high school and middle school, and lists estimated cost pressures (health‑insurance +5%, utilities +6%). It also itemizes $300,000 in proposed reductions intended to help balance the plan, including $175,000 tied to district administration’s Effective Instruction components, a $40,000 reduction tied to the superintendent executive assistant position, and smaller savings in technology and athletics. The document recommends continuing a Q‑Comp reserve because of a potential state funding change in 2027.

The board did not adopt the budget at the work session; members were presented with the draft and scheduled a formal vote at the June 3 regular meeting. The budget materials presented to the board include line‑by‑line program budgets, fund balance projections for general, food-service and capital funds, and narrative assumptions about enrollment (district planning enrollment of about 1,840 ADM after PSEO adjustments).