The School Board approved the 2025-26 budget Thursday night, raising the mill rate to ensure it has the resources to pay employees and complete projects like facility maintenance and loan payments.
The mill rate was increased by 0.78. The approved budget total is $14.2 million, up $700,000 from last year’s expenditures.
During a budget hearing before the meeting, Superintendent Stu Moeckel said the district is operating with low cash reserves. He said the cash balance has “never been this thin, in all sincerity.” He said the board is going to have to watch spending and even find cuts to make sure it makes it through the year.
The contingency and textbook cash balances are currently at $0. The bond and interest balance is at almost $10 million.
Moeckel said that while the district has bonds to fund facility improvements, bond revenue cannot go toward other expenditures like teacher salaries.
Over 80% of the district’s general fund budget comes from state aid and the remaining 17% comes from local taxes, according to the board’s presentation.
The district’s assessed valuation has increased by 12.5% since 2023. The district is valued at $118,103,771 this year. Moeckel said this growth is important because a higher assessed valuation can generate more revenue for the district.
The board also discussed district fundraising at its meeting. This discussion came after three new assistant coaches were hired with private donations this school year. At its last meeting, board members expressed a desire for more transparency about this hiring protocol.
Moeckel presented recommendations that included creating a centralized fundraising calendar and an equity and oversight committee. His report said that while fundraising is important, guidelines must be established to limit donor fatigue and inequity.
Board member Joe Hurla said he wants to look at how other districts are regulating fundraising. He said the process seems disjointed at the moment and he doesn’t want to inundate the community.
“We’re asking a lot of the same people a lot of the time for funding,” Hurla said.
Board member Eric Votaw said he gets uncomfortable asking the community to fund things that he thinks should be the board’s responsibility.
Member Claire Harding said the board also needs to leave space for equity for smaller clubs with less fundraising, like the Art Club. She said she believes inequity exists in how the community supports different school organizations.
Member Heather Whalen said she wants the board to talk to coaches and ask about their funding needs, like if a fourth coach is necessary.
Moeckel asked the board to continue looking for good policy solutions and said it will revisit the issue in a month or two.
In other business, the board approved the hiring of two Migrant Education Program coordinators. The program received its funding after months of uncertainty due to the federal funding freeze. The program previously lost 11 employees due to the freeze.
The board also increased the long-term substitute pay rate from $130 to $145 per day. Moeckel said the rate was raised to keep Eudora competitive with other districts. He said Eudora was falling behind because other districts were paying long-term substitute teachers more.
Moeckel also updated the board on the district’s state assessment scores. Since the 2016-2017 school year, student math and ELA scores have declined. Moeckel said the district needs to develop a plan for growth and improvement.
Building leaders across the district also presented at the meeting about new staff. They said their new staff have been doing great jobs. Director of Transportation Machaela Beshears also presented and said transportation is going smoothly.
Also discussed was an engagement survey, which the district will release in October asking for teacher feedback. It will then use responses to develop and implement strategies for improvement.
The board also highlighted the Eudora Schools Foundation Charitable Golf Tournament on Oct. 17 at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence. Those interested can sign up to be a sponsor or participant, and funds will go toward grants for teachers and educational programs.
Reach reporter Bella Waters @[email protected].
