Board reviews $32.19 million plan for one-time state funds, cutting FY28 deficit forecast to $26.7 million

What happened

Administrators presented a non-action proposal (Memorandum #037) to the Board detailing how ASD would spend approximately $32.19 million in one-time HB 263 'waterfall' state funding: $14.58 million on 2026-27 investments (including restoring emergency reserves, charter school funding, student supports, snow removal/security, and student activities/transportation) and $17.6 million retained in fund balance to reduce the projected FY28 deficit from about $40 million to about $26.66 million.

Why it matters to families

This is a major, districtwide budget decision affecting reserve levels, charter funding, student transportation programs, and the size of next year's anticipated budget gap; families and schools depend on how these one-time funds are allocated.

The evidence

Board Memo #037 outlines $14.58 million in 2026-27 recommendations (including $6.8M to reinstate emergency reserves, $2.102M charter funding, $3.7M student supports/personnel, $500K snow removal/safety, $400K student activities, $1.08M program-specific transportation) and $17,610,371 retained in fund balance, reducing the projected FY28 deficit to $26,658,746; presented as a non-action item at the Sept. 1, 2026 Work Session.

The source