The Independent School District 191 (Burnsville Public School District) Board of Education on April 24 received an update on community feedback for the fiscal year 2026 budget and a staff projection that the district would close the year with an approximately 18.15% fund balance.

District Superintendent Dr. Theresa Battle and Stacy Silvain, executive director of administrative services, told the board the finance team is finalizing numbers and plans to present a full draft in a work session in early June and to seek final approval on June 26, as required by state statute.

Staff said the district reopened its budget survey after an initial round of community responses and received 12 additional submissions, on top of an initial 11. Presenters said community priorities include maintaining class sizes, supporting student behavior needs and sustaining services for English learners; concerns included reduced busing and higher activity fees.

"We are still on track on our timeline for developing and presenting the fiscal year '26 budget for your review and adoption," Dr. Theresa Battle said. Stacy Silvain explained the district will "assume the worst" in state funding projections: "So anything that happens will be good news for us. Things that we are keeping an eye on really is the compensatory and the hold harmless."

Silvain gave several quantitative details: the district's current transportation cost is about $12,000,000 under its 1.5-mile walking-distance standard; reducing walking distance to zero, she said, would likely raise transportation costs by "a multiple million dollar increase, probably 2 to $3,000,000." She also said the district has 53 English-learner teacher slots planned for next year and that the proposed budget adjustments would leave the fund balance at about 18.15% if revenue and expense assumptions hold.

Board members asked for follow-up information. Director Hume asked whether there are emerging legislative changes that could alter revenue projections; Silvain said the finance team is watching legislature activity but is planning conservatively. Another board member asked staff to compile examples of sponsorships and external funding models that could offset increased activity fees; Silvain said the district's assistant superintendent for athletics has convened a design team to study athletics sponsorships and that staff will bring policy and comparative examples from regional districts.

Board materials and the budget timeline are posted online, and staff said they will provide the draft budget for detailed review in June prior to the statutory approval date.

Less critical details: presenters noted that while many families now drive students to school, the district has not determined how much of that behavior is driven by walking-distance policy versus convenience and that the effect of busing on attendance would require further study.