 The Scottsbluff Public School District, Board of Education, and building and district administration work hard to maintain a school budget that addresses the needs of all students while being a good steward of the taxpayers’ dollars. For the second year, the District held a budget forum during the regular April Board of Education meeting. The information shared is also presented to SBPS staff at all school buildings.
Dr. Andrew Dick, Superintendent, kicked off the presentation, sharing local and regional enrollment trends as well as 2026-2027 budget priorities, which are as follows:
- Continue to align budget priorities with SBPS Mission, Vision, and Core Values
- Execute the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan
- Be mindful of the impact on Scottsbluff Public Schools taxpayers
- Maintain financial cash reserves in accordance with Nebraska State Statute
- Seek to propose a balanced budget
SBPS Executive Director of Finance Marianne Carlson shared the various taxing and non-taxing funds the District utilizes to fund operations, including revenue caps and expense restrictions for each fund. Included in those funds are the General and Building fund which are subject to the School District Property Tax Limitation Act. Nebraska’s School District Property Tax Limitation Act limits annual revenue growth to 3%, with additional adjustments for enrollment, limited English proficiency (LEP), and poverty. The act also permits SBPS to approve up to 5% additional base growth with a supermajority approval of the Board of Education. SBPS has not approved this additional growth to date.
In addition to the different funds, Carlson shared information on personnel costs, which made up 76.79% of actual General Fund expenses in 2024-2025, as well as Cost Per Pupil, which is over $1,000 below the state average. Based on current figures and taking into account limitations due to the School District Property Tax Limitation Act (LB243), the District anticipates an increase in State Aid of $263,000, and an estimated Property Tax Revenue increase of $183,000. With projected increases in staff salaries and benefits, as well as in student transportation costs, the District anticipates the need for budget reductions of $1.1M. This amount is higher than the figure shared at the January board meeting, as certified staff negotiations were still in progress at that time.
The budget includes all schools within the District, including Bear Cub Preschool, special programs such as ReConnect, Sixpence, and the District's Family Success Center, special education services for children who live in Scottsbluff or attend Scottsbluff private schools, birth to three services, out-of-district placements, activities and associated travel, and facility maintenance, among many other important obligations. SBPS is among the largest employers in western Nebraska with well over 550 staff members.
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