January 5, 2026 at 7:00 AM - Budget Committee

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:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the projected end of the year balance for fund 10. Attached please find a slide from the October 30, 2025, special board meeting. Administration will review this slide and potential scenarios for the end of the year balance. 
There have been recent discussions on the special ed categorical aid reimbursement rate. The DPI is making payments based on a 35% reimbursement level. We budgeted a 40% reimbursement level while the state budget estimated a 42% reimbursement level. Our budget planning model estimates 38.54%. Audited expenses for 24–25 were $11,249,797. We budgeted $4,225,000, 35% of our audited expenses would be $3,930,000, 38.54% would be $4,336,124. We will continue to monitor this topic as monthly payments are made by the DPI.

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to provide an update on the financial plan related to the November 2022 referendum. Attached please find two slides relating to the 2025-2026 property tax levy. Administration will review these slides and will provide an update to the committee on the discussions that are taking place with our financial advisors. We intend to present financial plans to the committee in February. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review of the 24-25 audit report. Administration is requesting approval of the 24-25 audit at the January regular board meeting. Attached please find the audit report and the auditors' letter to the school board. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to provide a high-level overview of 26-27 budget planning. Attached please find a draft of the 26-27 Budget Planning Process. Administration will review the enrollment projections, staffing projections, class size, and a high-level budget projection. Administration will be seeking feedback on the topic of staffing levels and open enrollment options that will need to be approved in January 2026. 
The K-4 sections have been updated, as well as the high-level budget table on the last page of the document. The budget table was updated to reflect the 4K contract offer selected by the board of education in December 2025. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss future enrollment planning. Attached please find an updated enrollment projection. Administration is recommending planning for 2026-27 utilizing the 3-year average projection model. This model estimates 4,393 (+24) students in 2026–27. Our district continues the pattern of larger graduating classes being replaced by smaller kindergarten classes. The graduating class of 2025–26 is smaller than the recent graduating classes (309). Community growth then typically accounts for the gap. Overall, our district has declining/stable enrollment. We used the enrollment projections to then calculate class size information for open enrollment for the January 2026 school board meeting. We also use the enrollment projections for staffing projections which are shared at the January budget committee meeting.
Administration has attached the open enrollment options for the January board meeting. A recommendation from the budget committee is requested. 

Description:  The board of education approved the following 3 items at the December 2025 board meeting:
1. Increase the stipend amount from $3600 to $5000
2. Additional request for 4K open enrollment seats in January 2026
3. Form a 4K task force in preparation for the 27–28 school year 
The 4K contracts were emailed on December 9th, 2025 to our 4K Partners.
Attached you will find the responses that were due by the end of the day on Friday, December 19th. 
Administration will discuss the 4K responses at the budget committee meeting.