Dearest reader... the ledger has made its way to Fowlerville. 👑🪶
Teachers, paraprofessionals and other employees around Metro Detroit have been negotiating new contracts, so your Lady was asked the same simple question:
Can this district afford an increase?
Fowlerville ended 2024–25 with a $4.14 million General Fund balance, or 11.9% of expenditures. The current budget projects that falling to 8.4%, before rebounding to 10.6% in 2026–27.
Over the last decade, enrollment declined 16.5%. During that same period, teacher FTE increased 11.6%, paras remained nearly flat, central administration declined 20%, and school administration increased 12%.
And one little receipt worth remembering: the 2024–25 budget did not land exactly where projected. The district actually finished the year with a $375,000 increase in fund balance.
Budgets are projections. Audits tell us where the carriage actually landed.
So your Lady will close the ledger there.
Can Fowlerville afford an increase?
Dearest reader, you decide. 📖🪶
With receipts and respect,
Lady Budgetdown
#LadyBudgetdown #FowlervilleCommunitySchools #SchoolFinance #Teachers #Paraprofessionals #Transparency #Accountability #TheReceipts