A key component of the meeting was the discussion and approval of the 2026-2027 budget. The budget, resulting from discussions over several months involving administration and union leadership, is designed to support the district’s general operations and address fiscal constraints. Notably, the district anticipates an increase in student enrollment, projecting a rise from 1,953 in 2025-26 to 2,008 in 2026-27. This increase includes a significant rise in special full-time enrollment, with an additional 70 students expected.

The budget overview revealed differences between the tentative budget submitted earlier and the final adopted budget, which increased from $52.7 million to $57.9 million in the general fund. Despite the increase, the tax levy remained unchanged at $2.7 million. A notable aspect of the budget was the $4.7 million capital reserve deposit, funded through reallocating a one-time surplus, which does not increase the tax levy or recurring operating costs. This capital reserve will serve as a savings account for major facility needs, such as roof repairs and safety upgrades, with ongoing collaboration with architects to finalize a long-range facility plan.

The projected total revenue for the 2026-27 budget was detailed as $62.8 million, with the operating budget at $57.8 million and the tax levy at $24.7 million. The overall revenue growth was described as modest, with the tax levy capped at a 2 percent increase. The budget plan relies on a combination of local revenue, state support, grant funding, and available fund balance to accommodate rising costs while minimizing taxpayer impact. Local revenue was identified as the largest source at about $25.7 million, followed by state aid of approximately $21.6 million, with fund balance contributing around $10.6 million.

A breakdown of state aid components revealed that equalization aid is the largest at $17.9 million, followed by special education aid at $2.7 million. The final proposed budget reflects a $1.4 million increase from the previous year’s revised budget. The general fund, making up 92 percent of total appropriations, was projected at $57.9 million, an increase of about 2.44 percent from the prior year. Significant budget drivers include increases in regular and special education instruction, with employee benefits presenting the most substantial upward pressure, rising from approximately $9.2 million to $13.3 million.

The curriculum priorities for the upcoming school year focus on enhancing core instruction and targeted support for students. The district plans to pilot resources for core English Language Arts (ELA) for grades K-3, with potential expansion into grades four and five, alongside mathematics resources for grades six through eight and high school math courses. The budget also aims to bolster multi-tiered systems of support, including resources for tier two and tier three math and reading levels, alongside interdisciplinary team training. Additional support efforts include expanding the use of UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) into grades four and five and investing in foundational math and intervention resources.

Special education initiatives were a significant topic of discussion, with plans to expand the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Learning Disabilities (LD) programs into the high school. The district also highlighted the installation of a sensory hallway at Aldine and sensory spaces in all ASD classrooms. Collaboration with the Cadre Center for appropriate dispute resolution in special education is in its early planning stages, focusing on professional development for staff, enhancing communication with families, and building collaborative problem-solving practices.

The budget anticipates funding from various grants, including Title I, Title II, Title III, and additional IDEA funds, which are critical for supporting various educational initiatives. The district is budgeting conservatively for these grants, estimating a 20% reduction from current funding levels to avoid overestimation. For early childhood education, the preschool program is projected to expand to 13 classrooms, adding an additional classroom for three and four-year-olds and a second relief teacher to meet grant requirements.

Several buildings and grounds projects were proposed, including the installation of new HVAC units at the high school gym, new boilers at Sherman and Robert Gordon schools, district-wide LED lighting upgrades, roof repairs, and paving the blacktop at Sherman. Maintenance projects include painting and floor replacements throughout the district, along with ongoing plumbing repairs and upgrades.

The potential impact on taxpayers was outlined, with an estimated increase of $119 per household based on an assessed home value of $253,000. Public comments included concerns about the adequacy of staffing and support in light of the projected increase in special education enrollment. The district’s special education enrollment rate is closer to 19%, above the state’s assumed rate of 16%, prompting a call for advocacy at the state level for a fairer funding formula. A parent also requested that the budget be made more accessible to the public.