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Superintendent Corey Graves presents $48 million budget and proposes seven diesel buses
Summary
Superintendent Corey Graves told the Sherrill City Commission that the UBS/EBS proposed budget is roughly $48.0 million — a 2.75% increase — and includes two propositions: one to buy seven diesel buses and another on board-seat timing; he cited enrollment declines and higher capital costs for the proposal.
Superintendent Corey Graves presented the UBS/EBS proposed budget to the Sherrill City Commission on May 11, saying the proposal totals $48,000,009.11 and represents “a real 2.75 increase.” He said the plan includes a proposed tax-levy increase of about 2.15% and emphasized that a drop in enrollment — from roughly 2,500 students a decade ago to just under 1,800 now — has reduced state foundation aid and put pressure on local revenues.
Graves described the district’s three-part budget structure (program, administration, capital) and said the capital share is higher than usual because the district is assuming debt for upcoming projects. He listed local revenue as about 36.47% of the budget and said the district will use less of its fund balance this year than in recent years. “We are on track this year to stay within our budget,” Graves said.
On ballot propositions, Graves said the district is proposing two items, including the purchase of seven diesel buses. “The buses were looking to purchase 7 diesel buses,” he stated, and made clear the proposal specified diesel rather than electric vehicles. He also said the district sought a timetable extension for electric-bus requirements, describing the change as “two extra years” that would shift some purchases toward 2029 and noted the statewide electrification target of 2035 could be affected by pending legislation.
Graves addressed fleet replacement cycles and maintenance costs, outlining a multi-year replacement plan intended to limit long-term maintenance liabilities. He also noted a contingency balance of roughly $350,000 under discussion and said the district’s capital/maintenance plans should return the fleet to a regular replacement schedule.
The presentation closed with Graves directing commissioners to the full packet on the district website for detail and offering to answer follow-up questions by email.
