Support services include the activities involved with assisting staff with the content and process of teaching to pupils as well as library services. Administration includes expenses associated with administrative and financial supervision of the District. - 14 - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CLAYTON MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED Year ended June 30, 2025 Governmental and Business-Type Activities - Continued Operation of plant activities involves maintaining school grounds, buildings, and equipment in an effective working condition. The cost of operation of plant is greater than the prior year primarily due to increased capital expenditures. Other includes services for transportation, food, communications, human resources, and expenses for the District self funding its health insurance plan. Interest and other charges are transactions associated with the payment on debt of the District. Business-type activities are services provided to constituents of the District where all or most of the costs involved are recovered through services charged to the users of such services or from transfers from other funds. The dependence upon tax revenues is apparent. Similar to last year, over 93.6% of instruction activities are supported through taxes and other general revenues; for all governmental activities, general revenue support is 84.0%. The District’s Funds The District uses funds to control and manage money for particular purposes. A review of the funds provides some understanding as to whether the District is being accountable for the resources taxpayers and others provide, and also gives awareness into the District’s overall financial health. In total, governmental funds had a fund balance of $47.9 million at June 30, 2025. This represents an overall increase of $2.2 million. Revenue in all funds increased $2.3 million primarily in local revenue from property tax collections. Combined expenditures for the General Fund and the Special Revenue Fund increased $2.3 million primarily due to increased salary and benefits. The Debt Service Fund expenditures were in accordance with scheduled debt payments. Expenditures in the Capital Projects Fund increased by approximately $1.6 million in accordance with planned capital expenditures. The overall position of the District’s funds remains financially strong and the District is able to meet all of its ongoing operational expenditures without having to resort to short-term financing activities. - 15 -

Expenditures in the Capital Projects Fund increased by approximately $1.6 million in accordance with planned capital expenditures. The overall position of the District’s funds remains financially strong and the District is able to meet all of its ongoing operational expenditures without having to resort to short-term financing activities. - 15 - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CLAYTON MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED Year ended June 30, 2025 Operating Funds (General and Special Revenue Funds Combined) - Budgeting Highlights In accordance with Chapter 67, RSMo, the District adopts a budget for each fund. While the District uses its funding judiciously, there are a number of factors that affect the budget over which the District has little or no control. The District uses site-based budgeting which is designed to tightly control site budgets but provide flexibility for site management. During the year the District revises the budget to deal with unexpected changes in revenues and expenditures as additional information becomes available. Schedules showing the District’s original and final budget amounts compared with actual amounts paid and received for the General and Special Revenue Funds are provided later in this report as required supplementary information. The District’s financial strength is derived primarily from its strong local property values as over 78.4% of the District’s operating revenues are generated through local property taxes. Under Missouri Statutes, property tax rates fluctuate with changes in assessed values preventing windfall revenue increases during periods of growing property values. This mechanism also protects taxing entities during periods of falling property values and has minimized the impacts of recent property value declines. The 2024-2025 current property tax revenues for all funds increased by $1.5 million or 2.4% from the 2023-2024 totals, and delinquent property tax collections increased by $1.3 million due to a decrease in the payback of prior years protested taxes by St. Louis County. The District did not revise the original property tax budget and property tax revenues finished the year $0.6 million above the current property tax budget for all funds. For the year ended June 30, 2025, the General Fund cash basis actual current property tax revenue, a component of local revenue, was $6.8 million greater than budget. However, the Special Fund cash basis actual current property tax revenue, a component of local revenue, was $7.5 million less than budget. These variances were due to a shift in the property tax levy from the Special Fund to the General Fund. General Fund actual expenditures were approximately $1.6 million less than final budgeted amounts. Instructional supplies, student activity account supplies and operation of plant supplies were lower than budget. Missouri law prohibits the District from spending more than the budget per fund. The Special Revenue Fund budgetary basis actual expenditures were near the final budgeted amounts. For the year ended June 30, 2025, the combined General and Special Revenue change in fund balances was $2.0 million greater than the 2024-2025 final budget. - 16 -

The Special Revenue Fund budgetary basis actual expenditures were near the final budgeted amounts. For the year ended June 30, 2025, the combined General and Special Revenue change in fund balances was $2.0 million greater than the 2024-2025 final budget. - 16 - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CLAYTON MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED Year ended June 30, 2025 Capital Assets, Right-to-use Assets and Debt Administration Capital Assets At June 30, 2025, the District had capital assets and right-to-use assets with a net book value of $101.6 million, which includes $71.7 million in accumulated depreciation/amortization. Table 4 shows a breakdown of capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation/amortization, at year end. Table 4 Capital Assets - Net June 30, 2025 2024 Governmental activities Business- type activities Total Governmental activities Business- type activities Total Land $ 714,536 $ - $ 714,536 $ 714,536 $ - $ 714,536 Buildings and improvements 95,134,060 - 95,134,060 95,474,595 - 95,474,595 Furniture and equipment 5,240,041 122,489 5,362,530 4,843,619 110,686 4,954,305 Right-to-use assets 426,923 - 426,923 454,466 - 454,466 Total $ 101,515,560 $ 122,489 $ 101,638,049 $ 101,487,216 $ 110,686 $ 101,597,902 The total additions for the year were $5.1 million which consisted of $3.5 million of building and improvements and $1.6 million in furniture and equipment purchases. Debt Administration At June 30, 2025, the District had $28.6 million in general obligation bonds outstanding. Missouri statute allows school districts to incur debt up to an amount equal to 15% of the most current assessed valuation. The District’s allowable debt margin was approximately $206.3 million at June 30, 2025, far above the District’s current level of debt. The District’s Debt Service levy for 2024-2025 was $0.511 per $100 of assessed valuation. The Debt Service Fund balance at June 30, 2025 was $6.1 million and equal to nearly 88.1% of the fiscal year 2026 annual debt service payments. The District’s bond rating is AAA with Standard and Poor’s. Other long-term liabilities of the District include compensated absences and a capital lease for renovation and improvement projects. Additional information about debt is provided in Note E. - 17 -

Other long-term liabilities of the District include compensated absences and a capital lease for renovation and improvement projects. Additional information about debt is provided in Note E. - 17 - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CLAYTON MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED Year ended June 30, 2025 Economic Factors and Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget The Board of Education, together with staff, parents and patrons of the District are united in our commitment to student learning. Our mission, vision and core values embody why we are here, what we want our students to become, and the principles that guide our work. The District’s mission to inspire each student to love learning and embrace challenge within a rich and rigorous academic culture, and the vision to develop leaders who shape the world through independence, creativity and critical thinking set the standard for the education we provide. The Profile of the Clayton Graduate describes the attributes we hope for every Clayton graduate. The profile envisions graduates who are self-actualized, intellectually curious, culturally competent, empathetic, creative thinkers and collaborative. The profile influences our approach to learning. The spending plan set forth in the budget is designed to support the mission, strategic plan, goals and objectives of the District as adopted by the Board of Education while ensuring fiscal responsibility to the community. The District’s strategic plan is developed around three goals:  Goal #1 – A place for everyone… We will ensure all learners, regardless of their identity, feel safe and valued.  Goal #2 - …to grow as learners… We will commit to the educational growth of our learners through an equitable, personalized and individualized learning experience.  Goal #3 - …in head and heart. We will be dedicated to the personal growth of our learners in their social, emotional and physical well-being. Financial resources are allocated in accordance with the goals and objectives outlined within the strategic plan. Preparation of the budget involves input from staff, administrators and instructional leaders throughout the District. Economic Factors The School District of Clayton is located in the hub of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Through the decades, the area has experienced steady and prosperous growth. The central location, accessibility and convenience continue to draw business and residents to the area. The resulting vibrant business community and premier residential neighborhoods provide a solid economic base for the school district. Nevertheless, a variety of economic factors influence the financial condition and financial stability of the school district. These economic factors include:  Birth rates, school enrollment and student attendance  New and ongoing investment in the community producing growth in Assessed Valuation combined with property tax rate  Senior home owner property tax freeze that will slow revenue growth  Rate of inflation and its effects on the cost of labor, employee benefits, services and supplies - 18 -

Nevertheless, a variety of economic factors influence the financial condition and financial stability of the school district. These economic factors include:  Birth rates, school enrollment and student attendance  New and ongoing investment in the community producing growth in Assessed Valuation combined with property tax rate  Senior home owner property tax freeze that will slow revenue growth  Rate of inflation and its effects on the cost of labor, employee benefits, services and supplies - 18 - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CLAYTON MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED Year ended June 30, 2025  Interest rates and the effects on borrowing costs and rates of return on cash reserves Despite the occasional economic challenge, the District seeks to grow educational opportunities for students. In turn, the benefits of education go beyond a paycheck. A solid K-12 education along with postsecondary credentials continue to be good for communities as a whole – contributing to better health, a more engaged citizenry, lower rates of incarceration, and in full circle, an improved economy. 2025-2026 Budget The revenue budget for 2025-2026 is forecast at $80.4 million, while the expenditure budget is set at $78.7 million, providing a balanced budget and yielding growth in fund balances. Property tax revenue is anticipated to grow due to reassessment and new construction. Outstanding bond debt will pay down and is scheduled to be paid off by March 1, 2029. Various capital improvement projects are programmed and do not require borrowing to reach completion. Overall, the budget continues to support the excellent staff, facilities and operations of the District at the level expected by students, parents and patrons. In accordance with goals set forth in the district’s strategic plan, expenditures are focused on instruction, human resources, capital improvement, programs and financial sustainability. The budget supports strategic plan Goal #1 by expanding funding for safety and security services, systems and supplies to help ensure all learners feel safe and valued. Strategic plan Goal #2 is represented by investments for curriculum and technology purchases to support the educational growth of our learners. Budget allocations for social and emotional staff and supports to enable the well-being of our learners connect to strategic plan Goal #3. Ultimately, the best evidence of fiscal responsibility and financial stability is the District is one of four Missouri school district maintaining an “AAA” bond rating by S&P. This rating is the result of ongoing prudent fiscal practices, including balanced budgets, proper financial policies/procedures, vigorous internal controls, sufficient fund balance reserves, upkeep of facilities, low levels of debt, and long-term perspectives. Contacting the School District’s Financial Management This MD&A is intended to provide taxpayers and other constituents with an overview of the financial condition of the District's finances and to demonstrate the District's accountability for the money it receives. Questions concerning any of the information provided in this report or requests for additional financial information should be addressed to John Brazeal, Chief Financial Officer, at School District of Clayton, #2 Mark Twain Circle, Clayton, Missouri 63105. - 19 -