Centennial School District Board proposes 3.75% tax adjustment amidst budget discussions

Tensions flared at the Centennial School District's Special Board Meeting on July 2, 2025, as board members engaged in a heated debate over a proposed tax increase. The meeting, marked by sharp exchanges, centered on a contentious 4% tax hike that was ultimately amended to 3.75% after a series of procedural motions.

The discussion began with accusations of slander regarding a political post made by a board member, which claimed that voters could avoid the tax increase by supporting their candidacy. This sparked a back-and-forth that highlighted the charged atmosphere among board members, with one member asserting, "That is not slander. Slander is something that didn't happen."

As the meeting progressed, the board moved to approve the final budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, initially proposing a tax increase of 4%. However, a motion to amend the tax rate to 3.75% was introduced and debated. After a vote, the amendment passed narrowly with a 5-4 decision, leading to the rescinding of the original motion for the 4% increase.

The board's procedural complexities were evident as members navigated through motions and amendments, with one member clarifying, "We have to vote on the amendment first before we go back to the original main motion." Following the amendment, the board took a brief recess to allow for recalculations based on the new tax rate.

The meeting concluded with a sense of urgency as board members prepared to finalize the budget with the adjusted figures. The outcome of this meeting is expected to have significant implications for the district's financial planning and community relations moving forward.