Grand Island Public Schools board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves property-tax resolution

The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education on Sept. 22 adopted the district’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved a property‑tax delivery resolution affecting multiple levy components.

District staff summarized the budget and levy changes during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting after a budget workshop and public hearing held the previous week. The board voted to adopt the budget and to file the property‑tax request and associated delivery resolution; the transcript records the motions, seconds and that each motion “passes,” but does not record individual vote tallies.

Mr. Arden, a district staff member presenting the budget, said the district’s all‑funds budget will increase by about $5,000,000, which he described as roughly a 2.49% rise driven by staffing costs and inflation, with smaller increases in federal‑programs accounts. “The budget is slated to go from … to … so about a $5,000,000 increase for all funds across the board,” Arden said, and he offered to answer questions. No board members asked follow‑up questions before the motion to adopt the budget was made and seconded. The motion was seconded by Miss Albers and the board chair announced the motion passed.

District staff also presented the property‑tax delivery resolution for filing with Hall County (the district is identified in the record as Hall County School District 2, also known as Grand Island Public Schools). The resolution, as described by staff member Hardin, makes multiple levy adjustments: a reduction in the general‑fund levy of “a little over 14 and a quarter cents,” a decrease in the bond fund levy of about 0.7 of one cent, an increase in the special building levy of 11 cents, and a decrease in the qualified fund levy of 1 cent. Hardin said the net effect is “a 5¢, just under 5¢ reduction in our property tax levy” and that district valuation increased about 8.02%, which amid those levy changes results in the district seeking approximately $1,800,000 more in total revenue than the prior year. Hardin concluded by offering to answer questions; none were asked. A board member moved to approve the property‑tax resolution, Miss Albers seconded, and the chair announced the motion passed.

The transcript does not record roll‑call vote tallies for either motion, nor does it give first names or job titles for the two presenting staff beyond the surnames used in the meeting. The record shows the budget and levy items were preceded by a public hearing earlier in the week; no public commenters addressed the board during the meeting’s public‑comment portion.

The board noted the next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., and then adjourned.