The Montague school board was presented a proposed 2025-26 budget at its Monday meeting, which it unanimously approved.
As usual, director of business affairs Stacey Brown presented the budget, which calls for total expenditures of just over $20.63 million, an increase of $370,000. As in past years, the budget was conservative, as the school has not yet been told what its allotment of state funding will be. The school has also not yet had its transportation contract with Electric Forest renewed for 2026, though Brown said she anticipates that will eventually occur.
Brown noted that the current budget calls for the end-of-school-year fund balance to only be 6% of expenditures, which is significantly below the threshold recommended by the state. However, that pessimistic outlook has historically been true in other early budget presentations as well, and she anticipates an improved outlook as various monies come in throughout the school year.
The budget also reflects an anticipated downturn in overall student enrollment next year. The district currently projects 1,225 students will be in the district for 2025-26, down 64 from a year ago. The final state funding allotment was projected in the budget at $1,000 per student, which is part of the budget proposal from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but that figure has not yet been finalized by the state. The number would be an increase of just under $400 per student from 2024-25.
The board took several other actions Monday, including the approval of five new teacher hires and a superintendent contract for next year. The board approved three overnight athletic trips for the summer.
Superintendent Jeffrey Johnson announced during the meeting that Joe Brunson, a teacher and coach of track and cross-country, has left Montague for a position at Holland Christian, which is closer to his home. Johnson thanked Brunson for his years at the school.
