Ralston board approves 2025–26 budget, property tax resolution and multiple policy updates

RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD — Sept. 22, 2025 — The Ralston Public Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday to adopt the district's 2025–26 budget, approve a property-tax resolution and enact several policy amendments, with board members saying the district will use reserves to reduce the tax levy while keeping flexibility to respond to state-level revenue changes.

The board approved a $2025–26 budget that includes staff pay increases ranging from about 2.5% to 5% and an insurance cost increase of roughly 5.5%. Board and staff presentations said those increases, plus other ongoing expenses, account for much of the budget growth. The district also won board approval to retain an option to use an additional 5% property-tax authority in future years as an insurance policy against revenue uncertainty; the board did not tap the previously authorized 5% this year.

Why it matters: The actions set the district's spending plan and tax posture for the year, affect employees' compensation and influence how much revenue the district will request from property taxpayers. Board members and staff framed the property-tax authority decision as a prudential step given continuing uncertainty in state aid.

Key details - Budget highlights: staff raises (2.5%–5%),…