Board adopts preliminary 2026–27 budget as finance staff warn of roughly $500,000 aid shortfall; multiple contracts approved

The Hartford J1 School District board on June 24 approved a preliminary 2026–27 budget and a series of contracts while administrators flagged an anticipated reduction in state aid and several near-term facilities and procurement items.

Finance staff told trustees the district must file a preliminary budget before June 30; that document is balanced for Fund 10 but reflects revenue pressure. "We're going to be down close to $500,000 in aid," a finance official said, noting additional revenue decreases tied to declining student counts and that the district will consider transfers and revenue-limit adjustments to manage the gap.

Separate action items carried during the meeting:

- Audit engagement: The board approved audit engagement letters with Vesta (noted in the packet as formerly Heubner and Associates) at a total not to exceed $36,055, broken into $21,650 for the financial-statement audit, $9,725 for compliance testing and reporting, and $4,680 for uniform guidance single-audit testing. Administration described typical on-site audit staffing (three to five people) and filing deadlines to the Department of Public Instruction.

- Photography vendor: Trustees approved a 2026–27 contract with School and Sport Pics to provide student and staff photographs; administrators noted the vendor gives a $1,000 loyalty bonus to the district.

- CESA 6 contract: The board approved the district’s annual CESA 6 services contract for 2026–27; administrators said many monetary details are in contract page six and some items are estimates tied to staff counts.

- Building use: The board approved a 12‑month building‑use agreement with Glacier Hills Bible Church for the former Boys & Girls Club space at 635 West Sumner Street; administrators said they will pursue a sale of the property during 2026–27, either through a commercial listing or the state surplus auction site.

On facilities, Dr. Villalobos reported a Rossman boiler leak that will require replacement. "It'll be about $100,000 coming out of fund 46," he said; administrators said bids and formal action will be brought to the board next month.

Trustees also approved the employee and student/family handbooks, the employee recruitment incentive, and the consent agenda (minutes, bills, treasurer's report, donations, contracts and personnel recommendations). Board members asked for clarifications about contract pages and estimates; administrators said detailed amounts are in the packet where applicable.