Gasconade County R-2 School District ended the 2025-26 fiscal year on June 30 with a 47 percent unrestricted fund balance, which will decrease quickly in the 2026-27 school year.

While the unrestricted fund balance is higher than the board’s goal of 25 percent, former superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy previously told the board that the number would drop quickly over the next year because of increases in salaries and benefits.

The June 2026 financial report outlined that the district budgeted $2,336,064.99 for the debt service account and had $2,357,757.17 by the end of the 2025-26 school year. They are expected to make the final payment on the 2017 bond issues in the 2026-27 school year.

Capital projects had $2,234,314.82 budgeted, but had a $2,234,314.82 ending balance.

The teacher’s fund was budgeted at $1,165,315.38, and was spent down by the end of the year.

About $532,635 was budgeted for food services, but the board actually collected $433,290.55

The incidental fund was budgeted to receive $13,076,821.68, but had $10,996,725.75 by the end of the school year.

The scholarship fund is at $32,851.81.

In total, the district received $415,803.56 in interest.

Despite the increase in revenue this year, school boards across the state are anticipating smaller budgets in the coming years that could cause cuts to programs or staffing.

Superintendent Dr. Staci Johnson said the district will be okay to spend money out of the unrestricted fund, which is like a savings account, for the next few years. She warned the board to expect consistent decreases.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. on Aug. 17 at the Administration Building to discuss this year’s tax rates, followed by a 6 p.m. regular Board of Education meeting.