The regular December meeting for the Big Lake School Board was preempted by the annual truth in taxation meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for the public to come and hear about how the school district spends its budget and how the budget is funded, as well as to ask any questions. 

District Business Manager Angie Manuel led the meeting, noting the budget for the 2025-26 school year was set at around $60.5 million. The majority of the budget goes to the general fund, which is just over $48 million. 

Of the $48 million in the general fund, just over $38 million comes from state funding, while about $8 million comes from the local levy. Federal funding and other revenues make up the last two percent of the revenues for the general fund.

Manuel noted that, unlike other municipalities, such as cities, townships, and counties, the school district budget does not determine the local levy or vice versa. Instead, their levy is determined by a combination of state formulas and referendums approved directly by district voters.

The school district levy will be decreasing this year by 1.7%. Manuel also noted that the district levy is only one portion of the property taxes property owners will pay, along with taxes for their city/township and for the county. 

More information on the district budget, how the levy and individual taxes are determined, and programs available to taxpayers are available in the meeting notes for the meeting, found at (link here.)

Retirement Recognition

Board Member Tony Scales received well wishes from the board at his last meeting as a board member. He was also presented with a mug as a parting gift. Scales served on the board for 12 years.

Budget Report

There was a slight decrease in enrollment since November. Manuel noted that this is a new trend she’s been seeing over the past few years. It used to be that enrollment would decrease after winter break, but lately the district has seen a trend where enrollment numbers will drop just before winter break, then increase after winter break. Manuel believes online schooling options are part of the reason the district has been seeing this new trend.

Manuel found that the compensatory revenue fund will decrease by about $150,000 for next year. She had mentioned at the previous month’s meeting that it was likely the funding would decrease, but the amount it went down was not as much as she had anticipated. An exclusive article further explaining the change will be available through the Patriot in early January.

CACR Report

The Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR), formerly known as World’s Best Workforce, is a way to measure student benchmarks and show where the school district can improve.

This report is almost exactly the same as the one that was presented at the September School Board meeting, but it is required to be presented at the end of each calendar year.

CACR consists of several goals set for districts across the state, including closing the achievement gap among students of all ethnic and financial backgrounds. Staff has been investigating the data among student MDA scores to determine where the district can improve, and which student populations need additional support.

Another goal is to ensure all graduating students are properly prepared for college or a career. One method the school is using to help students in this area is further developing their apprenticeship programs.

The final goal is to make sure all students graduate high school. Currently the district has a graduation rate of 90%. Minda Anderson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, noted that this is the four-year graduation rate, though some students do continue to graduate after five or six years.

In Other Business, the Board:

• Set the Big Lake Joint Powers meeting for January 16 at 6pm at the Big Lake City Council Chambers;

• Heard a report from the Board Member Ashley Schabillion about a recent meeting she had involving a state legislator;

• Heard a report from Board Member Amber Sixberry about filling a position on the Wright Technical board;

• Heard the superintendent’s report.