Crawford Co. R-II board approves 2026–27 preliminary budget, finalizes 2025–26 receipts

The Crawford Co. R-II Board of Education approved a preliminary 2026–27 budget and voted to finalize the 2025–26 receipts and disbursements at its regular meeting, with a roll call result reported as six yes and one absent.

Superintendent said the district is "in a good place" to close the current fiscal year despite broader state revenue pressure. The superintendent told trustees the state adequacy target used to calculate state aid had been set at $7,145, was estimated at $6,900, and that the district had been notified the state would pay out at $6,958; the superintendent added an early projection for the following year of about $6,700. The superintendent also noted a Missouri auditor statement that, in the auditor’s calculation, state revenues were roughly $1.7 billion short — a figure the superintendent said would tend to reduce future state distributions to districts.

Board members approved local budget allocations that include $145,000 in local funds paired with $217,500 in state funds — a combined $362,500 — earmarked for career-ladder payments to staff. The superintendent said classroom trust fund (gaming tax) dollars were split between the district’s operational fund and certified staff support; the packet listed the split amounts as provided to trustees.

On capital and operations, the superintendent reported meetings with Anate Building Solutions, architects and contractors and said several projects are scheduled: ballfield lights would begin next week, playground and fencing work in July, and architectural drawings expected by December with most work planned for summer 2027. The administration also transferred two bus purchases into the capital plan and said the district maintains approximately $1 million in capital reserves to cover major unplanned replacements or repairs.

Trustees discussed staffing and enrollment trends. The superintendent said two positions at the high school (an ELA teacher and a science position) were reduced or absorbed because of projected lower enrollment; the incoming freshman class was cited at 66 students. The superintendent summarized multi‑year enrollment trends as a decline of about 40 students per year in recent years.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to adopt the meeting agenda (motion by Adam, seconded by Roger): approved, six yes, one absent.
- Motion to approve the consent agenda (motion by Roger, seconded by Adam): approved, six yes, one absent.
- Motion to approve financial statements and June bills: approved, six yes, one absent.
- Motion to approve the 2026–27 preliminary budget (motion by Chris, seconded by Roger): approved, six yes, one absent.
- Motion to approve the 2025–26 receipts and disbursements after June 30, 2026 (motion seconded): approved, six yes, one absent.
- Motion to schedule the July board meeting for July 16, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. with closed session to follow (motion by Roger, seconded by Adam): approved, six yes, one absent.
- Motion to enter closed session to discuss personnel, citing "section 6.0.021 subsection 313 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri" (motion by Renee, seconded by Chris): approved, six yes, one absent.

The superintendent provided specific budget figures at the meeting packet level (current expenditures about 94.69% to date and revenues about 87% at the time of the report) and said health insurance costs increased by $54.90 per month per employee, producing a total additional cost the board previously approved of $125,466. The board did not take public comment and moved to recess before the closed‑session discussion on personnel.