Laingsburg school board approves 2026-27 budget with $643,182 gap
Trustees adopted a general fund budget projecting $14.9 million in revenue and $15.6 million in spending, set a 28.95-mill tax levy and approved four hires at the June 24 meeting.
The Laingsburg Community Schools Board of Education approved an amended 2026-27 general fund budget on June 24 that projects $14,935,667 in revenue and $15,578,848 in expenditures, leaving $643,182 to be covered from fund equity, according to the approved minutes of the meeting.
The board also approved the 2025-26 proposed budget, which listed $14,813,897 in general fund revenue against $15,082,321 in expenditures, a gap of $268,424. Food service was budgeted at $780,608 in revenue and $783,413 in expenditures for 2026-27, and the student activity fund at $133,570 in revenue and $141,766 in expenditures.
Both budget motions passed unanimously. A public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget drew no public comments, the minutes state.
Superintendent Matt Shastal told the board the 2025-26 budget picture was getting clearer as June 30 approached and that the deficit had been reduced by $576,000 since February. He said community support groups had given almost $70,000 to the district during the year, and reminded the board there was no increase in state aid for the second year in a row.
On 2026-27, Shastal said there was still no budget from Lansing and the district had again planned for the worst-case scenario in its initial budget. He described the situation as a revenue problem, saying revenue is down approximately $600,000 from two years ago. He said the district is not looking to downsize staffing.
Millage, borrowing and personnel
The board approved the 2026 tax levy on the L-4029 form at a total of 28.95 mills: 18 mills non-homestead operating, 2.04 mills for the 2016 Series A debt, 3.06 mills for 2019 building and site, 4.08 mills for 2019 refunding, 1.02 mills for 2021 refunding and 0.75 mills for the 2026 sinking fund. Trustees also approved a state aid note resolution for a 2026-27 general fund operational loan and the MHSSA 2026-27 membership resolution.
Trustees approved May warrants totaling $321,924.89 in accounts payable, $78,172.98 in electronic transfers, $1,426,812.76 in payroll and $2,844.44 in building and site spending. The board acknowledged the resignation of high school teacher Autumn Ash, effective Aug. 14, 2026, and approved hiring Rachel Darr as associate preschool teacher, Alex George as IT director effective July 1, Steve Toomey as food service director effective July 1, and Brayden Thomas as varsity boys soccer coach for 2026-27. It also approved elementary social worker Kristina Bruggink's request to reduce her position to 0.4 FTE for 2026-27, and acknowledged the probationary status of 22 teachers and tenure status of nine.
What happens next
The board set its next regular meeting for July 15 at 7 p.m. in the middle school media center, with NEOLA board bylaws and policy updates previewed as a future agenda topic. Shastal said the strategic plan update would be revisited in July. The June 24 meeting, called to order by Vice President Michael Rourke at 7 p.m., adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
The Morning Current. Free, daily, by 6 AM.
Every council vote, police report, and school decision in Shiawassee County — before your first coffee.