The Santa Fe R-X Board of Education actualized the the budget for the 2024-2025 school year, reporting about $250,000 in deficit spending.

Santa Fe Superintendent Derek Lark says the spending was due to increases in the district’s salary scheduled, required after Senate Bill 727 was passed. Lark did note the board anticipated this spending.

The board also approved the 2025-2026 certified and classified salary schedules, which provides another increase for staff and raises the base salary to $40,000. This also includes increases to minimum wage, which is set at $15 per hour for the next school year.

Overall, Lark says paying for staff makes up 78 percent of the district’s budget. Larks says this district has reserves to help maintain the salary schedule, but the district will need more help during the next few budget years.

The Board of Education is not meeting in July. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13.