Wichita Board adopts $1.01 billion budget, approves tax policy that exceeds revenue-neutral rate

The Wichita Board of Education on Sept. 8 adopted the district's 2025'26 budget and approved related tax resolutions after holding public hearings and receiving comments from residents and local officials. The board approved a $1,009,854,676 total budget and kept the overall mill rate flat at 51.387 mills; the board also set the supplemental general (LOB) percentage at 33% for 2025'26.

The budget matter follows two public hearings the board opened earlier in the meeting: one on the district's intent to exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate and the other on the proposed 2025'26 budget. Members of the public who spoke addressed property taxes, student achievement and district spending priorities. After public comment the board closed both hearings and moved to formal actions later in the meeting.

Why this matters: The board's adoption authorizes the revenue measures and spending plan the district will use in 2025'26. The vote preserves the district's ability to collect more tax revenue than a revenue-neutral calculation would allow while keeping the adopted mill rate unchanged from the prior year. The budget includes targeted investments the district's staff tied to achievement goals and building-level needs.

Key details: The board's financial staff reported the proposed total budget of $1,009,854,676 and an operating budget of roughly $615 million; staff said 87.2% of operating funds go directly to student-facing services and instruction accounts for 53.5% of the operating budget. Addie Lowell, chief financial officer, told the board the district's proposed compensation package totals 5.47% and that base state aid per pupil is $56.15. The district's capital-outlay authority and bond payments remain part of the tax structure the board and county use to collect revenue; staff said capital-outlay mills (the statutory maximum) remain available where needed for facilities work.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2025-03 (expressing property-tax policy as it relates to exceeding the revenue-neutral tax rate): motion made by Melody (mover), seconded by Stan; recorded roll-call vote: Knock: yes; Hazel: yes; Diane Albert: yes; Melody: yes; Stan: yes; Julie Hedrick: yes; Kathy: no. Motion passed 6'1. - Resolution 2025-04 (authorize supplemental general LOB budget percentage at 33%): motion made by Melody, seconded by Stan; recorded roll-call vote matched the prior resolution: motion passed 6'1. - Adoption of the 2025'26 budget as proposed: motion made by Melody, seconded by Julie Hedrick; final hand vote recorded as 5 in favor, 2 opposed; motion passed 5'2 (names for the 5/2 hand vote were not given in the transcript).

Public comment and board context: Several members of the public spoke during the hearings. A resident complained about rising property taxes and asked that taxpayers without children not pay for schools; a city mayor urged a budgeting approach tied to per-student targets; other speakers urged attention to classroom conditions and student outcomes. The board and administration reiterated they used a building-needs assessment process to prioritize spending and that roughly 80% of district revenues are restricted by purpose (special education, nutrition services and federal funds among them).

What's next: The district will implement the 2025'26 spending plan and staff said they will publish budget documents and detailed program allocations (financial services materials are available at usd259.org/financialservices). The board directed that staff continue building-level engagement and report follow-up information as needed.