Darlington board approves 2025–26 budgets; IT Chromebook funding cut to $65,000

The Darlington Community School District Board on April 23 approved several operating budgets for the 2025–26 school year, including budgets for DHS, DEMS, activities and athletics, and curriculum.

"Motion by Winslow, seconded by Stauffacher, to approve the 2025-2026 DHS budget, as presented by Mitch Austin. Motion carried," the minutes state, recording the formal approval of the DHS budget. Carly C. Winslow, Clerk, made the motion; Mitch Austin presented the DHS budget and delivered the DHS principal report during the meeting.

Board members also approved the DEMS and curriculum budgets as presented by Mike Flanagan and the activities/athletic budget as presented by Lindsey Crist. The IT budget, presented by Aaron Wolfe, was approved with two specific changes adopted by the board: move Action 1 Windows to a three-year licensing bundle and reduce funding for new Chromebooks from $80,000 to $65,000. Those IT modifications were recorded as part of the motion that carried.

The approvals were adopted by voice vote with "Motion carried" recorded in the minutes for each item; detailed line-item totals for each budget beyond the IT Chromebook adjustment were not specified in the minutes. The approvals set the district's financial plans for the coming school year and authorize administrators to proceed with the programs and purchases described at the presentation.

Provenance: The budget approvals and IT changes are recorded in the minutes under motions to approve the 2025–26 DHS, DEMS, activities/athletic, curriculum and IT budgets (SEG 013–SEG 017).