The Board of Trustees approved the 2026–27 school year budget, totaling $110.3 million in combined state, federal, and local funds to serve our students.
Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Gillen noted that while this conservative budget reflects reductions in state funding and a projected drop in enrollment, the district is working hard to balance its resources in a landscape of rising costs.
The district is reducing costs by not filling about 16 open positions, decreasing supply budgets, and pausing major equipment purchases. He noted that the district will continue to plan to reduce expenses in the coming year.
He shared that the district can increase state revenue by improving average daily attendance (ADA) noting that if our district-wide ADA goes up by just 1%, funding would increase $500,000.
State funding for teacher salaries did increase and teachers will receive pay increases for earning advanced college education, gaining more years of experience, or moving up on the state's career ladder. Teachers who have already reached the top of the pay scale will receive a special, one-time bonus. State funding for classified and administrative staff did not increase and a one-time bonus is planned to recognize staff in those positions.
The district will manage a large increase in health insurance costs by changing insurance providers and increase in employee premiums.
CFO Gillen was thanked for his service during the meeting and incoming Superintendent Marcus Myers updated trustees on the effort to find a replacement.
