Board adopts 2026–27 budget and urges state to pass school‑aid budget by July 1

The Northville Public Schools board adopted its initial 2026–27 budget and approved a separate resolution urging the state to pass a timely school aid budget.

Chief Financial Officer (Mr. Kling) presented the 2026–27 budget assumptions: a projected $250 per‑pupil state aid increase (based on current proposals), an expected enrollment decline of roughly 45 full‑time‑equivalent students, a modest property tax uptick (~2.5%), and a set of contract and staffing investments that together produce a projected $4.5 million use of fund balance, leaving a target fund balance of about 24% by year end. The presentation noted upward pressure on utilities — electric costs were cited at roughly a 25% increase — and stressed that the budget depends on a not‑yet‑finalized state budget.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved a final amendment for 2025–26 (motion 135) that slightly adjusted revenue and expenditures and showed a projected general fund deficit just under $2.2 million with an estimated 29% fund balance at year end. The CFO told the board auditors are completing the preliminary audit and the district will amend budgets again once Lansing finalizes state aid.

The board also voted unanimously to adopt a resolution (motion 137) urging the governor and legislature to pass the 2026–27 school aid budget by July 1 to avoid the planning uncertainty that delays in the past budget cycle created. Board members cited the practical difficulty of scheduling staff, transportation and program decisions without a timely state budget and expressed opposition to proposals that would reallocate school aid dollars away from K–12 to other priorities.

Separately, the superintendent reminded the public that a non‑homestead millage replacement will appear on the August 4 ballot; administration warned the board that failure to renew could create an $11 million annual shortfall for the district.