Little Falls board approves revised 2023-24 budget, citing deferred maintenance and simulator reimbursements

The Little Falls School Board voted to adopt a revised budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year after a presentation by business manager Chris Mubick.

Mubick told the board the revision increases federal revenue by $236,000 and adds roughly $240,000 in state reimbursements tied to recently purchased simulators. He said the district adjusted its average daily membership (ADM) estimate up by 10 students and raised equipment and facilities spending to cover deferred-maintenance projects. "We're spending down that balance by $827,000," Mubick said of the long-term facility maintenance fund, and the general fund deficit was increased to about $805,000, up from the originally adopted $561,000.

Board members asked for clarifications about the math-wing water damage and insurance reimbursements. Mubick said the district received a settlement from the insurance company but that depreciation applied, and not all repair costs were covered. "There was a depreciation. I want to say 40%, something like that," he said.

The revised budget shifts spending at the object level — increases to employee benefits, purchase services and equipment — and at the program level, with vocational and special education budgets rising to cover the simulator purchase and mandates. Mubick said the district started the year with just under $2 million in the long-term facility maintenance fund and expects roughly $1.1 million will remain after planned projects.

Board members moved and seconded the motion to approve the revision; the board approved the measure by voice vote. The board will receive the full adopted budget book in June when the final adopted budget is published.

What happens next: the administration will proceed with the deferred-maintenance projects funded in the revision and continue to monitor revenue and enrollment trends through year end.