USD 464 board adopts 2025-26 budget, approves resolution to exceed revenue-neutral rate

The USD 464 Board of Education on Sept. 8 adopted the district’s 2025–26 budget and voted to approve a resolution authorizing property tax levies that exceed the state-calculated revenue-neutral rate, the board said during a public hearing and subsequent roll-call vote. Board president said the district is proposing a mill levy of 60.944 mills for 2025–26, up from 59.772 last year — an increase of 1.172 mills. “The district has over the last five years actually lowered the mill by roughly 2.7 mills,” the board president said during the hearing, adding that state aid for K–12 and special education has declined and the district faces rising operating costs. The board read a resolution referencing KSA 79-2988 and adopted it by roll call; board members Dean, Vernon, Shoop, Gratton, Bruni and Batory recorded “yes” votes when the resolution was taken up during the hearing. Later in the meeting the board also approved the 2025–26 budget and a local option budget percentage of 32.3 percent for the supplemental general fund. Why this matters: The board’s action allows the district to collect property tax revenue above the revenue-neutral rate calculated under state law, a step board members said is needed to cover rising operating costs and lower state special-education aid. Residents at the hearing urged the board to consider the tax impact on fixed-income households and families. During public comment, longtime resident Cecilia Floyd said local fees and costs add up for families and urged board members to consider the burden on elderly and lower-income residents: “We are all being asked to do more with less,” Floyd said. Erin Ellsworth said more than half of the property taxes she pays go to the school district: “More than 50% of what I’m being charged is coming here.” Retiree Wes Miller said property-tax growth has outpaced his income and warned it could force longtime residents to sell: “If this continues on this way, it’s gonna price me out of my house.” Officials’ explanation and context: At the hearing the board described a multiyear decline in state support for school operations and special-education funding. The board president said state reimbursement for special education obligations has fallen from roughly 35 percent several years ago to about 25 percent this year, and the district projects it could be about 20 percent next year. Separate testimony during the meeting from the cooperative special-education director (reported elsewhere in this package) provided more detail on special-education finance and staffing. What the board approved: The board adopted a resolution stating that, under KSA 79-2988, the levy to finance the 2025–26 budget will exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate as calculated for the district. The board also certified a local option budget percentage of 32.3 percent and approved the full 2025–26 budget at the action-item portion of the meeting. Decisions, direction and follow-ups: The revenue-neutral resolution and the budget were formally approved at the meeting; board members said they will continue to advocate with state legislators for special-education funding. The board invited residents to contact state representatives about school funding and encouraged continued public engagement. Ending: The board completed the budget hearing, moved into regular business and later adjourned into an executive session for non-elected personnel matters. The board scheduled an additional special meeting (via Zoom) for Sept. 15 to handle a separate agenda item.