Board of Education holds truth-and-taxation hearing as residents oppose proposed tax increase

The Board of Education held a public hearing on truth and taxation, during which dozens of residents voiced opposition to a proposed tax increase intended to close the district’s budget gap and trustees discussed audit findings, communication and teacher compensation.

The hearing matters because the board is considering final tax rates and a budget that trustees said is intended to close a multimillion‑dollar shortfall; residents and board members spent the meeting debating whether to raise taxes, what cuts or accountability measures should accompany any increase, and how the district should report results to the public.

During the public comment period, multiple residents urged the board not to approve a tax increase. Resident comments included concerns about household financial strain, a request for clearer breakdowns of how increased revenue would be used, and calls for better district accountability. Alex, president of Stanford and Clark, said, "I personally am a fan of some taxes," while also urging careful stewardship. Several speakers cited local cost burdens — one commenter said property…