Trustees debate FY28 starting fund-balance and risks of using one-time funds for ongoing positions

Board members walked through preliminary carryover and cost estimates as they assemble the FY28 budget.

Duncan said he would be "comfortable talking in terms of a 3,500,000 actual carryover balance at the end of FY 27," and noted transportation and instructional costs that could reduce available funds. He and others warned that using one-time funding for recurring positions risks future deficits.

Staff and trustees flagged a possible $700,000 staffing increase scenario and noted that current fund-balance use (about $2.0 million this year) leaves limited flexibility. Mike asked for more granular data—class sizes, nursing coverage and longer-range fiscal scenarios—so the board and the Community Budget Advisory Committee can evaluate options before finalizing FY28 priorities.

Trustees also noted political uncertainty at the state level that could change baseline funding; Duncan said the board cannot fully plan the "core" budget until after the upcoming state election and Impact Aid clarifications are known.