Wentzville R‑IV board adopts FY27 budget as state funding shortfalls loom

The Wentzville R‑IV School District board on June 18 approved its fiscal year 2027 budget after a presentation from Dr. Beller outlining revenues, expenses and risks that could affect the district’s outlook.

Dr. Beller told the board the operating funds are “balanced almost to the dollar” with a projected modest surplus of $3,335, but that capital and state funding uncertainties pose larger challenges. He said projected capital (Fund 4) year‑end balances were just under $48,000,000 before planned spending and that a previously budgeted $2,900,000 bus purchase will carry into the next fiscal year because delivery is delayed.

The presentation emphasized the district’s continued reliance on local property taxes, which make up roughly 43 percent of operating revenue, compared with about 31 percent from the state foundation formula. Dr. Beller said changes in the state formula calculation—shifting weight toward membership measures—plus lower actual receipts from cigarette, lottery and gaming revenue reduced the district’s calculated state adequacy target (SAT). “Calculated SAT should have been $71.45 for this year,” he said, but final numbers arrived at $69.58, producing a roughly $3,400,000 revenue loss for the district this year; a conservative estimate for next year is $68.30, which he said would represent another $5,700,000 loss.

Board members asked about per‑pupil spending and staffing. One board member noted district expenditures per pupil run about $14,000–$15,000 under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) methodology, while other off‑hand calculations that include capital and debt can approach $20,000 per pupil. Dr. Beller cautioned that the district’s expense structure is dominated by people costs—about 82 percent of operating expenses are salaries and benefits—so large budget reductions would likely affect staff.

The presentation also covered the district’s move to a self‑funded health insurance plan on Oct. 1, 2024. Dr. Beller reported $23,300,000 in premium receipts and about $23,400,000 in claims and fees through May, leaving the plan slightly positive; he recommended a 3.3 percent average increase to contributions beginning Oct. 1 and said the three‑year average trend for health insurance increases is 3.6 percent.

Dr. Beller told the board the district is projecting a combined total surplus of about $4,400,000 across funds and an ending fund balance just over $160,000,000 in all funds for the budget as presented, while warning of a possible deficit outlook by FY29–30 if the state reduces appropriations. With those caveats, the board moved, seconded and approved the FY27 budget by voice vote.

The board plans additional budget amendments later in the summer to reconcile final assessed values and other updates before the fiscal year closes.