USDB leaders say contingency, donated funds will cover summer extracurriculars; foundation request could sustain programs into FY27

Assistant Superintendent Deborah Jacobson told the Utah State Board on June 5 that USDB had spent about 84% of its FY26 budget as of April 30 — roughly 1 percentage point above the typical burn rate for that time of year — and that a small number of line items (notably transportation) are showing negative balances that staff expect to reconcile at year‑end.

Jacobson and Assistant Superintendent Michelle Tanner explained that the agency reallocated contingency funds this year to support summer programs at the Deaf School and that donated “enrichment” accounts are being used for intended programming. Tanner said staff anticipate roughly $200,000 in enrichment funds available when a new fiscal year begins in July, which would carry extracurriculars into October; because that level likely won’t sustain programs through FY27, USDB will ask the USDB Foundation for $400,000 to bridge the remainder. Tanner characterized the request as uncertain — “we’re hopeful they will approve that” — and said staff will return to the board if foundation support does not materialize.

Members asked how the reported 1% overspend translates to dollars and whether the contingency is sufficient if overspend continues; Jacobson said she had not yet run the exact dollar calculation but that preliminary checks suggested remaining contingency should be sufficient to cover near‑term needs. Members also asked for monthly foundation reporting; Jacobson said staff are working with the foundation to provide those reports going forward.

The board approved the FY27 USDB enrichment budget (motion passed unanimously) and the USDB 2026–27 student fee schedule; both items were presented as routine approvals but members pressed staff for clearer reporting and for staff to pursue foundation support.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 142 — topfinish SEG 1052