Portales schools to see $1.8 million budget increase

Portales schools will see a $1.8 million increase in their budget for the 2024-25 school year. However, school officials still have worries on what the next year holds.

Portales Municipal Schools Financial Director Sarah Stubbs presented the budget to the school board at their regular Monday meeting. Stubbs said the district’s FY24-25 budget is about $37.6 million, increasing from last year’s $35.8 million.

“The budget is a plan. It is what we think is going to happen based on information that we have,” Stubbs said.

She clarified to the board that “a budget is not cash in the bank.”

She said expenses can easily change, depending on whether the 180-day calendar rule is imposed by the Public Education Department.

“The calendar is going to have a major, major impact on what’s going on in the budget,” Stubbs said.

A district judge on Monday granted an injunction against the 180-day rule, but it wasn’t immediately clear if that will hold.

Another impact on the budget will be the changes of operational cost. Stubbs said due to the recent legislative session all educators in New Mexico will be receiving a minimum of a 3% raise.

Stubbs said with the raise there will also be an increase in insurance, with medical increasing 15.33%, dental increasing 5% and vision increasing 3%.

The board unanimously agreed to move forward with the budget.