Board approves preliminary 2025 levy at maximum allowable, delegates EFT authority and appoints election judges

The Alexandria Public School District Board of Education approved a preliminary property tax levy for 2025 payable in 2026 at the maximum state‑allowable amount and took several administrative votes at its Sept. 22 meeting, including delegating electronic fund transfer authority and adopting a resolution appointing election judges for a Nov. 4 special election.

The board approved the preliminary levy after staff presented preliminary calculations showing a projected decrease of about $325,000, or 1.78 percent, on a total levy described as just under $18 million. Staff told the board the preliminary number could change as final valuation and Department of Education processes are completed; the board approved the preliminary levy at the maximum allowed to preserve flexibility. A staff presenter said the timeline requires a preliminary levy by Sept. 30, notices to property owners in November, a truth‑in‑taxation hearing in December and final certification by Dec. 29.

"I'd put to the Board that I would ask for the board approve the preliminary property tax levy for '25 payable 26 at the maximum state allowable amount," a district finance presenter said during the discussion. Board members asked about how the preliminary levy would interact with a possible voter‑approved capital projects levy in November; staff said any voter‑approved levies would be added to the final levy in December.

The board also approved routine items on the consent agenda, including minutes (Aug. 18), payment of bills for August 2025, personnel recommendations, multiple grant applications (including a $100,000 state cybersecurity grant, a Community Foundation grant for Discovery Middle School and Woodland Elementary, an opioid settlement grant of $55,000 for career readiness, and smaller grants supporting programs such as Raising a Reader and greenhouse lighting), and accepted donations listed in the consent packet.

On administrative authority, the board accepted an audit‑firm recommendation and delegated authority so the payroll technician and a CESO designee may initiate electronic fund transfers to invest district funds; the delegation was described as a temporary operational step while the district searches for a permanent finance director.

The board also adopted a resolution appointing election judges for the Nov. 4, 2025 school district special election. District staff said the process follows the same training and rules used in other elections and noted early voting will take place at the district office.

All motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll‑call tallies in the meeting transcript. Where a motion and second were recorded, the audio shows the board moved and seconded, followed by "All those in favor signify by saying aye" and the chair announcing "Motion carries." No roll‑call counts were provided in the transcript.