Board adopts advertised budget as state aid falls; parents warned some special-education pull-out services may be cut

Presenter: "Tonight is our public hearing on the budget, and hope everyone had a chance to get a packet," the district presenter told the board and public as the meeting opened.

The board approved the advertised 2024'25 budget after a presentation that framed the work around sharply reduced state aid. The presenter said the district's state-aid revenues have declined substantially in recent years, citing illustrative figures used in the packet. The presentation described a multi-year shortfall that has forced leaders to rely on savings and make targeted reductions to balance recurring expenditures.

Why it matters: the presenter said the district must present a balanced budget to the county office and that, with the tax-levy cap and uncertain state-aid forecasts, the only practical option to balance was to reduce expenditures. The presenter described three reserve "buckets" (fund balance, maintenance reserve, capital reserve), warned that the district has drawn down savings and that continued use of one-time capital dollars cannot sustain ongoing personnel costs.

What was cut or at risk: the advertised appropriations reflect reductions across instruction and support services. The presenter said the budget reflects elimination of positions including teaching, clerical and custodial roles, and signaled possible reductions in basic-skills services and some special-education arrangements. "It would appear that the likelihood is that we don't have the staffing available in order to be able to support" pull-out services, the presenter said, adding the district would maintain robust in-class co-teach support where possible.

Parent concerns: a parent who spoke during the hearing said, "My daughter depends on that for math, especially. I see her grades going down tremendously if she couldn't have that service." The presenter replied that the district will keep a co-teach model where feasible and try to preserve supports, but acknowledged that one teacher might need to be shared between grades if positions cannot be restored.

Class size and enrollment: trustees and administrators discussed early enrollment numbers and their effect on sections. The presenter said there is a strong probability kindergarten will have four teachers next year, which would keep class sizes lower; if the district must operate with only three sections in some grades, class sizes could reach the mid-to-high 20s.

Vote and next steps: the board moved to approve the advertised budget and related items; trustees recorded affirmative votes in the roll call and the motion carried. The budget, as approved, will be transmitted to the county office for review and finalization. The presenter and trustees said they will monitor retirements, enrollment shifts and any legislative relief that may alter staffing choices.

The board closed the public-hearing portion of the meeting and announced the next regular meeting date.