The Lake Mountain School District Board of Education voted unanimously on Nov. 25 to adopt a transitional fiscal year 2026 budget to fund the district’s launch through June 30, 2026. Board President Julie King said the plan covers start-up costs including salaries and benefits, initial payments on a district office and other general expenditures.

“The expenditures that we need to get our district launched for the first 6 months,” King said, summarizing the plan that she described as “roughly $1,500,000” with “about 750,000 of it... allotted.” The board had opened a public hearing on the budget and reported no public speakers.

Board members discussed the staffing approach during the transition, noting the seated board will carry many operational duties until a superintendent and business administrator are hired. King said the district is budgeting for interim stipends or short contracts for those roles pending full-time hires in July 2026.

The motion to approve the proposed FY26 budget was made by Board Member King, seconded by Board Member Isaacson, and passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The board characterized the budget as a short-term, flexible allocation to allow the new district to begin operations while full staffing and longer-range budgets are developed.