Linn‑Mar board adopts FY2026 certified budget, holds levy steady after small shifts

The Linn‑Mar Community School District Board of Directors on April 28 approved the district’s certified budget for fiscal year 2025–26 following a presentation from Chief Financial Operating Officer John Galbraith.

Galbraith told the board the district expects 2% state supplemental support aid (SSA) growth and a $5-per-pupil increase in state funding, and that the board’s certified levy rate can remain roughly flat from the preliminary notice after small internal shifts across funds. The presentation listed a district cost per pupil of $7,988 and showed certified enrollment down about 72–73 students from the prior year; the district is budgeting conservatively for a continued decline of about 75 students in coming years.

The budget document rebalances several fund components: a roughly 19-cent increase in the general fund levy driven in part by a push to grow fund balance and solvency above board targets; an increase of roughly five cents in the management fund to cover higher property/casualty and workers’ compensation costs and the second-year payment of an early separation package; no change to the district’s physical plant and equipment levies (the voter-approved and board-authorized components); and a roughly $0.24 decrease in debt service driven by debt schedule changes and interest earnings the district applied to buy down the levy.

Why it matters: the certified budget sets the district’s maximum tax rate, frames resource allocations for schools and operations, and determines whether amendments will be needed if large projects start during the fiscal year. Backers of the measure said the budget seeks to balance taxpayer impacts while improving the district’s financial health.

Key details from the presentation: - Projected district cost per pupil: $7,988 (an increase of $162 from the prior year). - Certified enrollment: down roughly 72–73 students; students served down roughly 97. - Net open‑enrollment outflow: 289 students (an increase of 21 from last year). - General fund revenue mix: about 57% state aid, 33% property tax, 2.8% federal, 7.5% other local. - PEPL/PERRL and SAVE (the Secure Advanced Vision for Education sales‑tax fund) described as capital funding sources; some debt service payments are made via transfers from SAVE.

Board members asked for clarification on amendment timing if a large construction project begins during FY26. Galbraith said amendments can be made as needed, but there is a 30‑day waiting period; the board set a public hearing for an amended certified budget at its May 12 meeting to preserve options if the indoor activity center or other construction requires budget adjustments.

The board approved the proposed FY2026 certified budget by roll call vote; all present voted yes.

Ending: The district’s finance team will submit the certified budget to the county auditor as required and monitor enrollment and construction timing; any budget amendment required for large capital work will return to the board after the required public‑hearing interval.