School Board outlines FY26 budget with $2.7M deficit and potential safety grants

The CCBOE Work Session held on April 24, 2025, focused on the financial challenges facing the school district as it prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. A significant topic of discussion was the impact of the expiration of COVID-19 relief funds, specifically the ESSER money, which had previously supported various educational programs.

The board reported that essential programs, including the Accelerated Reader initiative, are now being funded through the operational budget due to the cessation of COVID-related funding. This shift has contributed to an increase in operational costs, amounting to an additional $1,086,000.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 totals $92,945,704. However, the district is facing a projected deficit of $2,732,521. To mitigate this shortfall, the board anticipates receiving approximately $500,000 in grant money for safety, which could help reduce the deficit to around $2,100,000. The board is also exploring options to streamline positions within the district to further address the financial gap.

In addition to budgetary concerns, the meeting included discussions on various reports and updates relevant to the district's operations. The board emphasized its commitment to finding solutions to the financial challenges while maintaining the quality of education for students.