Board adopts 2025–26 operational budgets, keeps mill levy target and approves bond measure language
Loading...
Summary
Deming Public Schools approved operational budgets for the district and Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School, passed a resolution to maintain the mill levy target and approved a resolution proposing a $7 million general obligation bond measure; staff adjusted next‑year spending to cover a bus on order and other items.
The Deming Public Schools Board on Thursday approved the district’s operational budget for the 2025–26 school year, accepted a charter high school operational budget, approved budget adjustments for the current year and passed a resolution stating the district’s intent to keep the mill levy rate level for the coming year. The board also approved a resolution proposing a $7 million general obligation school bond for voter consideration.
Board members voted to adopt the district operational budget after staff noted one change: an increase of $305,000 in function 4000 to cover the cost of a bus that is on order but may not arrive until July. “The reason I did that is because we have a bus that’s on order, and we’re not sure if it’s gonna make it here by June or if it’s gonna be in July,” said Mister Adcock, the district presenter. The board approved the Deming Public Schools budget by unanimous roll‑call vote.
The board also approved the operational budget for Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School for 2025–26. Charter school leaders told trustees the school’s enrollment grew by 18 students this year and the charter plans a 4% across‑the‑board salary increase for staff; the school’s leadership described initiatives including an extended calendar, a fast‑track credit recovery program for juniors and seniors, and a work‑study option for elective credit.
Earlier in the meeting trustees approved a set of budget adjustments for the 2024–25 year. Staff said most adjustments reflect final federal award amounts; one transfer provides authority to cover a summer school credit‑recovery program.
On tax policy, the board approved a resolution stating its intent to maintain the current mill levy level (staff cited a target of $5.75) and clarified that the resolution expresses the board’s preference rather than a guarantee of next year’s tax rate, which depends on assessed values the county will publish this summer. The board then approved a separate resolution that places a $7 million general obligation bond question on a future ballot; staff said the resolution leaves the bond language intentionally flexible so the district can prioritize projects after voter approval. Presenters noted the $7 million scenario supports the district’s tax‑rate goal while allowing the issuance of approximately $400,000 in annual ETNs.
Board members also approved notice to the Luna County clerk of two board seats (seats 1 and 2) to be filled at the Nov. 4, 2025 local election.
All motions on the budgets, mill levy resolution and bond resolution were approved by roll call with unanimous affirmative votes recorded.
