Newport Independent Schools presented its draft budget on Jan. 28, outlining a balanced financial outlook for the 2026–27 school year and giving board members an early snapshot of the district’s fiscal position.
The purpose of the draft budget is to give the school board a high-level view of the district’s overall financial position. It includes the district’s revenues, major expenditure categories and contingencies, based on the best information and assumptions the school’s treasurer said she currently has available.
“It basically combines our current budget that we’re working through and what we know today, such as our potential SEEK changes, information that we just don’t really know right now, but we can kind of look at trends and what has happened in the past to see what we can expect moving forward,” Newport Independent Schools Treasurer Kim Snapp said at Wednesday’s meeting.
The draft doesn’t require formal approval, but Snapp asked the board to acknowledge the budget and give feedback.
“We meet with Mr. Atkins [Newport interim superintendent], and oftentimes, we do have budget meetings and ask budget questions, and he’s usually able to answer as he meets with Mrs. Snapp on a regular basis,” Newport Board of Education Chair Ramona Malone said. “So, let’s keep that at the forefront.”
The district announced in August 2025 that its financial situation was in the green after suggesting in January 2025 that it could face a $3.9 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026. In October 2024, things started looking ominous for the district’s financial state with the announcement of a potential $1.9 million budget deficit. That number came from the total projected revenues of $17,766,986 and total expenses of $19,730,979 from the general fund working budget for the 2024-2025 school year, which can be found here.
This time around, total revenues and expenditures for 2026-2027 are expected to be $18,924,660, for a balanced budget. The district expects to have $1,472,550 in its contingency fund, which is a designated fund set aside to cover unexpected expenses, emergencies, or revenue shortages during the school year.
The 2026-2027 draft budget can be viewed below.