McFarland electors adopt $23.14 million tax levy after budget hearing

McFarland electors on an annual meeting night voted to authorize a $23,136,017 tax levy to fund the School District of McFarland’s proposed 2025–26 budget.

The motion, offered by school district treasurer Megan Chapman and seconded by Cassandra Dennis, passed on a voice vote with the chair saying the motion “carries unanimously.”

The vote followed a budget hearing in which Superintendent Aaron Turner and staff presenter Jeff Mahoney described a balanced budget reached after a year in which the district anticipated a $390,000 deficit. Turner said the district closed that gap through a combination of increased revenues, including oversight fees from virtual-school enrollments and higher interest earnings, and expense savings such as a new insurance plan and a hiring pause for a diversity, equity and inclusion position. “We were entering this year anticipating having a budget deficit of $390,000 and fortunate that through some increased revenues and decreased expenses we are able to share with you a balanced budget,” Turner said.

Nut graf: The discussion highlighted two long-running financing pressures:…