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Jamesville-DeWitt officials warn of multimillion-dollar gap as state aid barely shifts
Summary
District staff told the board the 2026–27 outlook shows roughly $1.2 million in new revenue but projected cost pressures — including health- and property-insurance increases — that create a $2.3M–$3.7M potential gap; staff said they will pursue attrition and limited reserve use to protect programming.
District finance presenters gave the board its first detailed look at the 2026–27 budget and warned of a multimillion-dollar gap that will require trade-offs to preserve programs.
Brian, a district finance staff member, said the latest state aid runs show only a modest increase and that tentative local levy planning and state aid together amount to "So tentatively, about 1,200,000" in new revenue. Darcy, a district staff member leading the roadshow presentation to staff, said temporary COVID-era grants and phased-in foundation aid that boosted recent budgets have ended, and staff must now plan without that one-time support.
Staff presented scenario modeling that showed a 3% year-over-year cost increase would require roughly $2.3 million, a 4% rise would need about $3.0 million, and a 5% scenario about $3.7 million. Presenters flagged two large, unavoidable cost drivers: health insurance (projected to rise about 8%) and property and auto insurance (projected about 9.5%), which together could consume more than $1.1 million of the district budget.
Board members pressed staff about state-level risks. One trustee asked specifically about Medicaid and reimbursements; Brian noted the state is facing multibillion-dollar out-year gaps and that changes at the federal or state level could reduce reimbursements the district receives. Darcy also highlighted local enrollment trends: the district has lost about 12% of enrollment since 2018–19, roughly 360 students, while staffing has remained relatively flat — increasing pressure on per-pupil costs.
Officials outlined next steps: staff will plug in finalized contract figures and recent settlements, update projections when the governor's budget posts Jan. 20 and when the state issues revised aid runs in February, and pursue strategies that prioritize attrition (retirements, resignations) over layoffs. The board was told a community forum on Feb. 4 and a staff update on Jan. 29 will offer additional context before the board adopts its budget in April for the May vote.
