DMJ approves 2026-27 budget

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, September 23, 2026

MT JUDEA — As reported at the regular scheduled meeting of the Deer – Mt Judea school board on Monday, Sept. 14, the district has a sound budget proposal for the 2026-27 school year, but it is considered “only a band-aid” by the Arkansas Department of Education in a recent monthly meeting held with district administration.

An overview of the budget, which was approved by the board at the meeting, follows

2025-2026 2026-2027 percentage changes.

Funding

Starting balance $1,301,135 $1,091,711 -16%

Revenues $5,487,478 $3,830,065 -30%

Total $6,788,590 $4,921,776 -27%

Expenditures

Teacher salaries $2,143,655 $1,479,132 -31%

Other $2,362,292 $2,051,219 -13%

Total $4,578,869* $3,659,801 -20%

*without $990,762 transfer to building fund

Building fund $3,821,989 $4,683,535 +23%

Under old business, Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Nichols shared the requested update on the Mt. Judea HVAC project. All electrical work and equipment pads have been completed; light fixtures are expected to arrive next week, at which time they’ll be installed; the two HVAC units are still set to deliver October 16-18. They intend to do the gas piping right before the HVAC units arrive, as it will take the existing heaters offline.

Ultimately, according to the update, “the owner of Precise HVAC believes he will be 100% complete by the end of October.”

Enrollment numbers were updated: Digital – 49, Deer – 104, Mt. Judea – 91 (total 244). While fewer than the 248 reported in Aug, this is still 2 higher than recently projected by the APSRC (Arkansas Public School Resource Center), meaning that, if sustained in the third academic quarter, that state funding will be higher than originally projected for 2027-28.

Continuing previous conversations on establishing a 5-year plan for the district, the board revealed the three primary areas: retention and growth of student population, academics, and fiscal maintenance.

Community conversations around the 5-year plan and other issues of importance to the district are tentatively planned for Oct. 12 at Deer and Oct. 19 at Mt. Judea. More details will be provided when confirmed. This plan will be discussed at all successive meetings until finalized. Public input is being strongly encouraged and solicited by board members.

After a discussion with the staff committee tasked with developing an alternative proposal for the concession policy, the board, again, tabled the recommendation. It intends to decide during an anticipated special meeting on Monday, Sept. 21 (details forthcoming). Current policy states that ninety-five percent of profits from the concession stands will go to Recognized Activity Clubs, with five percent going to Maintenance/Operations. The board’s concerns revolved around the amount spent by the district for referees, etc., which are required for any concession sales to occur, but which are not, even partly, reimbursed through the profits.

The tentative Sept. 21 special meeting may also include board training/guidance by Cody Kees, the district’s attorney. Additionally, Nichols was requested to see if Aliza Jones, Arkansas Association of School Facilities Planner, will be able to attend to address a recent walk-through of both campuses.

The board also approved:

• a three-year contract with First Security Beardsley for municipal advisory and fiscal agent services

• the hiring of Stephanie Bolton as part-time nurse at the Deer campus

• the sale of four vehicles via closed-bid

• the contract period extension of Michelle Martin – Deer Business Teacher – from 190 to 205 days

• a salary increase for the Food Services Director from $18.042 to $20,042

• the transfer of six students in to the district

• the transfer of one student out of the district

Following the meeting, the Arkansas Department of Education released the 2025-26 school and district letter grades. In comparison with 2024-25, the overall district retained a C-grade, Deer fell from a C to a D, and Mt. Judea rose from a C to a B.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 on the Deer campus.