Lincoln Board of Education views preliminary 2022-2023 proposed budget during work session

The Lincoln Board of Education held a work session to view the 2022-2023 preliminary proposed budget. Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish presented the information, and you can view the entire work session here.

Lincoln Public Schools prudently builds the annual budget using a three-year forecast to minimize the negative impact of drastic swings in revenues. LPS experienced a 23% drop in State Equalization Aid over two years and utilized cash flow to balance previous budgets. In addition, there were drops in revenue and student enrollment related to the pandemic.

“The goal of the three-year forecast is sustainability and stability as major swings in revenue are steadied through the utilization of cash flow,” Standish said. “We face challenging economic conditions, workforce shortages, fluctuations in student enrollment, declining State Equalization Aid and rising costs.”

After two years of a relatively flat budget, LPS is looking at moderate budget growth with an investment in staff, opening new schools and addressing previous budget cuts. The LPS preliminary proposed budget totals about $489.7 million. This is an average 2.3% increase over the 2019-2020 budget year.

Other highlights of the 2022-2023 preliminary proposed budget include:

  • A priority investment on staffing with an estimated 4.11% total compensation package increase.
  • Increasing the school supplies budget by nearly $300,000 to address previous years’ cuts.
  • Approximately $3.7 million for new schools opening.
  • Spend nearly $290-thousand to help catch up the CLASS plan in purchasing devices that were delayed in previous years due to budget reductions.
  • Replacing approximately $283-thousand in curriculum purchases due to budget cuts.
  • Increase in transportation services for Early Childhood.
  • Add a social worker to the Threat Assessment Team.
  • Provide funding for the start up of bowling and girls wrestling at the high schools.

LPS continues to rely on a solid process for budget development that includes multiple opportunities for community feedback. There will be two budget forums - one in person and one virtually - with a short presentation and time for community questions, comments and feedback.

  • In-person forum: Thursday, June 30, 5 p.m. in the LPS District Office boardroom (5905 O St.) This forum will also be streamed live for viewing on the LPS website and the LPS YouTube channel.
  • Virtual forum: Thursday, June 30, at noon, join the forum to provide feedback and ask questions using this link. This forum will also be streamed live on the LPS Facebook page.

Any community group that would like to schedule a presentation on the preliminary proposed budget should contact LPS Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish at 402-436-1636 or by emailing lstandis@lps.org. More information about the LPS preliminary proposed budget can be found on the LPS website: lps.org/about/budget.


Published: June 28, 2022, Updated: June 28, 2022