The Wright City R-II School Board unanimously approved its tentative budget for the 2025-26 school year at its June 26 meeting.
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The Wright City R-II School Board unanimously approved its tentative budget for the 2025-26 school year at its June 26 meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Amy Salvo and Director of Finance Veronica Klaus presented the budget, noting the district wants to be “fiscally responsible and conservative,” specifically pointing out the unknowns when creating a budget in June.
Revenue is expected to be $34.9 million, while expenses are projected to be $35.9 million. The district forecasted a 25.01% ending fund balance. This exceeds the board’s reserve goal of 22% in the operating fund.
It was noted that in fiscal year 2025, the district was supposed to have a state adequacy target of $6,760 per student, but the state did not fully fund what was intended. Instead, the state revised that number to $6,749. The number changing is a difference of roughly $20,000.
Next year, the formula is expected to be $7,145, with the dollar value modifier to not change at 1.0880.
A state adequacy target, also known as the state’s foundation formula, is the amount needed to provide an education that will allow students to meet state performance standards.
With the formula changing, the budget was constructed around $6,760 in order to create a cushion and take into account the possibility of future changes outside of the district’s control.
“What we do have control over is setting up what I like to say is a conservative budget that’s fiscally responsible because there are so many unknowns,” Salvo said to the board.
Klaus did note Prop G was not incorporated into the budget due to the district working on receiving bids and selling bonds.
The approved budget included several salary increases. A 3.5% will be added to the certified staff schedules along with an additional $500 for employees in years 21 through 31. Also, a new column was added to the salary schedule for teachers with a master’s degree plus 30 additional credits (MS+30).
The support staff salary schedules will increase by 5% and administrators will receive a 4% raise. The starting salary for teachers with a bachelor’s degree was raised to $47,322, placing the district ahead of neighboring districts such as Fort Zumwalt, Warren County R-III and Wentzville.
“We feel like we have really covered and listened to our salary committee on what they wanted,” Salvo said.
Additional market value adjustments were made as well. Pay for game workers will increase from $12.50 to $15 an hour. Mentor stipends are rising from $150 to $500. A $2,000 stipend was added for administrators with a doctorate. The middle school band stipend will increase from 1.5% to 3%, and a 1% stipend was added for the middle school assistant band teacher.
Taxes are expected to increase 13% due to new construction and reassessment.
Health insurance will go up from $5,768 to $6,832, costing the district $300,000. This will be an increase of nearly 19%. Additionally, full-time equivalent staff was added and is forecasted to cost $280,000. Transportation will also be fully funded by the state.
