July 9, 2025 at 7:30 AM - Budget Committee Meeting

Description:  A motion will be necessary to approve the agenda as presented (or) with changes as recommended.

Description:  Individuals may use this time to comment on any items listed as part of the meeting agenda. A copy of Board Policy 187 —Public Participation at Board Meetings is enclosed for your reference. Past practice has allowed 30 minutes for this section of the agenda.

Description:  As a reminder, the 2024-25 budget was updated at the June Board meeting. The audit process will take place August 13-14. Administration will allocate costs across accounting funds to meet the budget committee's goal of a $0 fund 10 balance for the end of 24-25. 

Description: 

Attached please find the budget planning timeline for 2025-26.

Description:  Administration will provide a high-level overview of the 2025-27 state budget. We will discuss:
1) Special Education Categorical Aid
2) Special Education High Cost Aid
3) Open Enrollment
4) State Equalization Aid
5) Property Taxes

Due to the additional spendable revenues in the 2025-27 state budget, we were able to address the following long-term financial concerns:
1) Added our fund 73 post employment benefit trust fund payment back into the budget ($600,000)
2) Added $100,000 to contingency ($200,000 total)
3) Added $100,000 to termination benefit payments
4) Added $47,000 to district legal budget
5) Added $100,000 to district transportation budget (will discuss options to reduce transportation costs)

Administration recommends a discussion of the 2025-27 and beyond financial planning take place at the August Board Workshop. We can discuss in more detail future referendums and further financial planning. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the third draft of the budget for the 25-26 school year. I have attached the third draft of the budget for your review. Please note that the third draft of the budget is based on the following:
1. The $0/student increase in the per pupil categorical aid, with a $325/student increase in the revenue limit formula
2. The personnel cost line includes an inflationary salary increase of 2.95%, implementation of the teacher and classified staff compensation systems, implementation of the classified staff operational referendum funds pay adjustments, a 0% increase in dental insurance rates, and a 5% increase for health insurance rates, utilities, and transportation.
3. The capital maintenance projects are funded from Fund 49
4. The second draft includes an increase of 5.4 FTE, as outlined on page 13 of the document. The third draft includes an additional 2.0 FTE for special education paraprofessionals for 1:1 student needs and an alternative education teacher/coordinator. 
5. The debt service fund includes the financial plan from the last borrowing that the board approved in March.
6. Building and department revenue and expense budgets.
7. Alternative education placements K-8, lease for space and staffing costs. We will discuss at the meeting.
8. McKinney-Vento student transportation, leasing of 2 vehicles and hiring district staff. We will discuss at the meeting. 
9. All other remaining budget requests have been placed on hold at this time. 

The third draft of the budget will be presented to the community at the Annual Meeting on August 25th. 

The final draft of the budget in October will include:
1. Grant allocations
2. Staffing updates based on additional schedule changes, reallocation proposals or new positions
3. Updates to building/department revenue accounts and corresponding expense accounts
4. September student count updates
5. October 1st equalized property values
6. October 1st state aid certification
Please let me know if you have any questions about the third draft of the budget.