On Wednesday, April 2, the Board of Education heard an updated 2025-26 budget proposal during a budget workshop.
Revised budget proposal
Since last week’s budget workshop, the district received another $350,000 in state aid. This is the aid that the district reconciled and expected to receive. Additionally, the district cut $260,000 in expenses.
As a result, here is a recap of the latest proposal:
- All clubs and extracurricular activities would be restored
- A decrease in the supplies/equipment/contractual services line items
- Contractual decreases are with third party companies, not employee contracts
- Taking money out of the district’s fund balance to help balance the budget
- This would leave the district with less than the recommended 4% allocation in the fund balance
- Miscellaneous cuts to budget codes
- Slight decreases to a number of budget codes, including, but not limited to: textbooks, central office supplies/equipment, secondary summer school, etc.
- Five positions that will not be replaced through attrition, salary and benefits
- Seven staff layoffs, salary and benefits
In this proposal, the district would realize a cost savings of approximately $1.7 million. With this cost savings, the district would use the $312,570 (3.18%) tax cap to balance the budget. This would require a simple majority approval (50% plus one) to pass.
Contingent budget
If the district is placed into a contingent budget, it would include all of the cuts mentioned above, plus an additional $177,000 in reductions.
Under a contingent budget, the tax levy can only be raised by 1.8%, which is equal to last year’s tax levy increase. Adopting a contingent budget prohibits a district from spending any money in certain areas.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- All community organizations who utilize the school campus for any purpose would be charged based on a fee schedule
- No new bus purchases for 2025-26
- We are sending back three buses this summer that have ended their lease. This would create a shortage of school buses for transportation for the 2025-26 school year
- No purchases of any new equipment
- No funds to the cafeteria
- Free breakfast and lunch would remain for all students (paid for by the federal and state governments)
- The cafeteria would run on a deficit, as the district would be unable to transfer from the general fund to balance the cafeteria fund
- No annual $100,000 capital outlay project
- We receive an approximate 80% reimbursement for this project the following year
- No extended school year (ESY) program
- No salary increases for management confidential employees and employees not part of a bargaining unit
FAQ
Below is the beginning of a budget FAQ the district is developing. If you have any questions related to the budget, please fill out this form.
The FAQ is posted on the Budget & Finance web page. We will continue to update the FAQ throughout the spring, leading up to the May 20 budget vote.
What cost increases created the budget deficit this year?
The deficit is caused by a number of factors. According to the January state aid runs, the state aid revenue that the district was projected to receive this year is $130,000 less than anticipated. Additionally, health insurance costs over a two year period (2024-25 & 2025-26) increased by nearly 30%, resulting in a $1.3 million increase. Lastly, after the 2024-25 budget was adopted, the district hired additional staff to accommodate the needs of students, resulting in an increase of approximately $500,000 that was not budgeted.
How is the district addressing the rising health insurance costs?
In the fall, the district assembled a health insurance committee to review other consortiums and health insurance offerings. The committee will continue to review additional offerings next school year. If the district were to leave the consortium, it is required to provide at least six months notice and may be required to pay any outstanding balances that are owed, which could create another budget shortfall for the following year. The district is also considering a wellness program for employees, which could cut down on the district’s use of its insurance.
Has the district maximized attrition opportunities over the past few years?
In the past, the district has not maximized cost savings opportunities through attrition. This year and moving forward, the district will work to realize cost savings based on retirements and resignations through attrition.
How were positions chosen to be cut?
Last year, due to declining enrollment, grades K-2 decreased from four sections to three, which put grades K-6 at three sections each. This year, the high school positions were cut based on providing three sections for high school students as a result of small class sizes due to declining enrollment.
What will the student-to-teacher ratio be next year as a result of the cuts and attrition?
Based on student enrollment and teachers for this school year, the student-to-teacher ratios are currently:
- 10.3 to 1 in the elementary school
- 8.2 to 1 in the junior/senior high school
Based on student enrollment and teacher projections for 2025-26, the student-to-teacher ratios are estimated to be:
- 10.9 to 1 in the elementary school
- 11.0 to 1 in the junior/senior high school
These figures are below the statewide average student-to-teacher ratio.
Upcoming Board meeting
The next Board meeting is Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in the High School Library.