SALINE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Saline Area Schools saw its total General Fund revenue increase 23% since 2019-20 at the start of the pandemic. However, the district is projecting to be in deficit this year and the following three years.

The district is dealing with life after the injection of federal pandemic money.

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Saline’s General Fund revenues increased from $62.77 million in 2019-20 and increased to $77.10 million in 2024-25, a 23% increase. But the district’s expenses have increased to the point where the district projects a deficit of $25,114 this school year and then increases to $2.52 million in 2025-26, $4.86 million in 2026-27 and $7.34 million in 2027-28.

The federal pandemic money started at $76,777 in 2019-20 and then increased each year to $1.88 million, $2.82 million, $3.41 million in 2022-23. Then in 2023-24, it dropped to $147,042.

The school district’s savings in its fund balance are projected to drop from $17.44 million to $10.04 million to cover the over spending. That’s according to financial documents the district released this week.