Board approves revised 2024–25 budget and adopts 2025–26 spending plan

On June 18, 2025, the St. Cloud Area Schools Board of Education voted to approve the administration’s revised 2024–25 budget and to adopt the district’s 2025–26 budget.

Amy Scalarud, executive director of finance and business services, presented both items and summarized the changes. For the revised 2024–25 budget she said revenue increases were driven largely by additional grants and entitlement funding (Title and special education) and by higher interest revenue. Adjustments in the general fund reflected corresponding increases in expenses; the largest planned draws were one‑time expenditures charged to assigned fund balance for projects such as Apollo Theater improvements and McKinley upgrades.

Scalarud said food‑service revenue rose to reflect federal program funding and higher reimbursement rates, and that the district closed its OPEB trust fund after the budget was finalized. She noted the district held about $70 million in an escrow account related to a refunded technology bond; higher interest rates increased revenue projections in the debt service fund.

For the 2025–26 budget, Scalarud told the board the combined general‑fund revenues are about $180 million and that the proposed plan includes a small deficit of roughly $311,000, which the administration said is driven by timing differences, special assessments (water/sewer/street improvements) and the cost of a special election to fill a vacant board seat. She described community education, food service, capital and internal service funds and said the health insurance fund has seen increased costs and claim activity that will be addressed with the board in August.

Board action:
- Motion to approve the revised 2024–25 budget: moved by Scott Andresen, seconded by Al Dahlgren; roll call vote recorded unanimous approval.
- Motion to approve the 2025–26 budget: moved by Scott Andresen, seconded by Zach Dorholt; roll call vote recorded unanimous approval.

Scalarud said most fund balances remain healthy and that additional budget details (including health insurance rates) will be presented at future meetings.

Ending: The board adopted the budgets as presented; administration will return with insurance‑rate recommendations and any required budget adjustments during the fiscal year.