This letter provides an update on our school district's budget planning, which was presented at the February 20, 2025, Financial Advisory Committee meeting and updated for the February 26, 2025, school board meeting. We are committed to informing you about how we are managing our school district's finances this school year and planning for next school year.

Revenue and Budget Considerations

We are carefully monitoring our income, especially the State School Fund, a significant funding source. The state expects to provide updated estimates about this fund in March. We are also reviewing other revenue sources, such as property taxes, federal funding, Student and High School Success funds.

At this time, we are still anticipating an ending fund balance of 5% with our general fund, which follows board policy. 

Budgeting in Uncertain Times

It is important to note that state funding formulas based on student enrollment and demographics determine the majority of our revenue budget. We are developing budget and staffing scenarios to align expenditures with anticipated revenue, carefully considering factors such as inflation, support service costs, federal education funding, and pension impacts. These elements are key to our long-term financial planning.

Community Input

We genuinely appreciate the input from staff and community members over the past month regarding our school district's core values and budget priorities. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will continue to review it as we develop the budget.

• The March 12 board meeting will be a work session focusing on our school district's core values.
• At the April 9 school board meeting, we will summarize the feedback from the listening sessions and provide an update on our budget decisions and impacts at the district, elementary, and secondary levels.

Key Dates

• Budget Committee Meetings: April 29, 2025, and May 6, 2025
• Board Approval: June 11, 2025

Learn More

We encourage you to watch the recording of the February 26, 2025, board meeting for a more detailed budget update. The budget update begins at 1:17.