Central Public Schools previews conservative FY27 budget as enrollment projection falls to 915

District staff presented the Central Public Schools preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget at the May 18 board meeting, outlining a conservative enrollment projection of 915 students and a modest general-fund surplus on paper.

Tim, the presenter, said the district is "moving into fiscal year 27 with a preliminary budget of 915 students" and emphasized that the projection is intentionally conservative given current registration counts. The presentation showed an anticipated general-fund position that, before revisions, appears approximately $21,000 in the black but depends on final enrollment and state actions affecting aid levels.

The budget narrative explained several drivers behind projected changes. The district is shifting some services previously purchased through Southwest Metro into direct hires (for example, the district is adding a 0.5 occupational therapist), which reduces purchase-service line items while increasing salaries and benefits. The preliminary plan also includes placeholders for negotiated salary increases tied to a tentative agreement with the Minnesota School Employees Association, which staff said is expected to be finalized by the association next week and then brought to the board in June.

Staff walked trustees through fund-balance projections and contingencies. Presenters said the unassigned fund balance is estimated to be about $1.66 million at the end of the year and that the proposed budget would draw down assigned balances modestly if enrollment holds at the projected level; the presenters warned that reductions in state special-education aid or other legislative changes remain the largest external risks to the plan.

The community-education fund was presented as roughly balanced in the preliminary figures, with plans to budget for an additional 0.5 full-time-equivalent preschool teacher should enrollment continue to rise. Food-service leaders signaled they will perform a detailed review because current budgeted increases appear small relative to observed meal volumes.

Board members asked for and received clarification on the enrollment assumptions, the shift from contract services to direct hires, and the planned timing: the board will review a revised budget and is required by state law to adopt a final FY27 budget at the June meeting.

The board did not take a final vote on the budget at this meeting; trustees were told they will revisit and adopt the FY27 budget in June.