Second vote on revised budget
Second vote: proposed budget with revisions
In light of the May vote on the proposed 2026-27 budget, it is important to reflect on the results as well as the factors that may have contributed to this outcome. The budget fell short of approval by 53 votes and the reasons suggest:
- The projected 4.7% tax levy increase
- Estimated tax rate increase between -0.4% - 6.2%
- an uncontested board race often associated with lower voter turnout
- Voter apathy, perceiving that individual votes would not impact the result
Exit poll results did not align with the final outcome. Fewer than 7% of voters participated in the survey with 67% indicating support for the budget. Among the 33% respondents who voted no, the most common concerns were the tax levy, tax rate and overall budget total.
Options to move forward
As you know, there are three options following a defeated budget:
- Adopt a contingent budget
- Conduct a revote with no changes
- Hold a second vote with proposed revisions
After weighing the vote outcome and potential impact of a contingent budget on students, the Board of Education unanimously approved the third option on May 26.
A second vote will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the District Office building. A budget hearing will be held one week prior on Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Canal View.
Conducting a second vote
- Confirms that we heard the community and revised the proposal
- limits further impact of a contingent budget on students
- demonstrates shared decisions, with schools and departments identifying concessions and areas to cut
FAQs
Why didn’t the district present this budget for the first vote?
The revised proposal will secure a 2.8% tax levy and compared to a contingent budget, will allow the district to retain staff.
Noticeable reductions totaling $853,800 include:
Staffing
- Elected not to fill open positions
- Reallocation of staff to open positions
- Reduced or eliminated staff summer days
- Reassigned a teacher to fill a vacancy
|
Previous reductions from first vote (full list in May Cornerstone):
|
Academic learning
- Eliminated gr. 2-5 summer program due to low enrollment
- Reduction of clubs districtwide due to low enrollment
- Applied class size guidelines
- Reduction of supplies & materials (K-8 level)
Operational
- Reduced equipment/ supplies (technology)
- Reduced equipment, supplies, contractual (athletics)
- Delayed purchase of additional vehicle for transportation (NOTE: EV buses are not associated with these budget votes)
