Committee backs budget parameters to keep fund balance near 20% as levy decision nears

Danielle Miller presented budget scenarios using a Baird model and recommended a conservative revenue approach while aiming to keep the district's Fund Balance at roughly 20% to strengthen the district's position ahead of any future capital bond referendum.

Committee members were told the district would likely use about $300,000 of the $1.3 million in referendum proceeds, and that a $400,000 debt defeasance was recommended to improve long-term fiscal health. Miller and Mitch Wainwright said increases in special education reimbursement, a fivefold rise in transfer-of-service funding, and higher open-enrollment funding put the district in a solid position to adopt this approach.

The committee heard that final budget numbers from the Department of Public Instruction are expected on October 17; staff said, given a conservative revenue outlook (including a 38% special education reimbursement rate and no Medicaid reimbursement), they were comfortable planning for a roughly $150,000 deficit that they expect to eliminate during the fiscal year. The committee voted 3-0 to support the recommended guidelines and forward them to the full board for approval.

The recommendation is procedural: the committee approved parameters to guide levy certification and to preserve a 20% Fund Balance rather than approving a final budget or levy rate at this meeting.