The Lake County School Board on Sept. 8 unanimously approved Resolution 2025-07 setting final millage rates at a combined 6.085 mills and Resolution 2025-08 adopting a $1,222,124,078 budget for fiscal year 2025–26.

The two votes came during a special public hearing called to adopt the district's final millage and budget. The millage resolution allocates 3.87 mills for required local effort, 0.748 mills for basic discretionary, 1.5 mills for capital outlay and a voted 0.75 mills, generating $181,642,830 for general operating and $71,046,739 for capital outlay (total levy revenue $252,689,569). The superintendent recommended approval using Florida Department of Education forms ESE-524 (millage) and ESE-139 (district summary budget). Mr. Mathias moved the millage motion, Dr. Luke seconded it; Mr. Dodd moved the budget motion, Mr. Mathias seconded it. Both motions passed by voice vote with all members saying "Aye."

The adoption completes the district's final budget process required for submission to state and county offices. "I recommend that the board adopt resolution 2025-07 determining the final millage rates to be levied for the fiscal year 2025-26," the superintendent read before the board voted. The superintendent later recommended adoption of Resolution 2025-08 to adopt the district's final budget in the amount of $1,222,124,078.

During the public-input portion of the hearing, Cheryl Pavlaca of Mineola, who identified herself as a senior with limited income and without children in district schools, urged the board to consider the impact of higher property values and tax levies on older residents. "Just because the school taxable value has gone up due to rising values on existing property should not mean that we need to increase the cost per pupil spend," Pavlaca said, adding that the district's per-pupil spending projection showed an "over an 11% increase per student from last year." She said she would prefer additional funds go to pay teachers and asked the board to support a resolution to lobby state legislators on homestead and senior-income exemptions.

Pavlaca also urged the board to "consider challenging the state on the RLE, the required local effort millage rate," saying federal funding shifts could affect the RLE and the district's share of funds. Board members and staff clarified that some exemptions and RLE calculations are controlled at the state level and suggested the topics be pursued with state legislators. The board did not take any separate formal action on Pavlaca's requests during the special meeting.

Board leadership said all required documents will be transmitted to the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Revenue and the Lake County Tax Collector's Office as required by law. No changes were made to either resolution after the votes.

The special meeting concluded after the two required votes; the board indicated the adopted millage and budget would be reflected in the documents filed with state and county agencies.