Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Adoption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
USD 383 board approves 2025‑26 budget, adopts 33% local option budget; several procurement items pass
Summary
The Manhattan‑Ogden USD 383 Board of Education approved the district's 2025‑26 budget and a resolution setting the local option budget (LOB) at a maximum 33% for the year. The board also approved several procurement items and the consent agenda; most procurement motions passed unanimously.
The Manhattan‑Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on Sept. 3 approved the district's fiscal 2026 budget and a companion resolution authorizing the local option budget (LOB) at 33 percent, while also approving multiple facilities and equipment purchases.
The board voted 6‑1 to approve Resolution 25‑26‑8, authorizing a supplemental general fund local option budget percentage of 33% for financing the 2025‑26 annual budget. The motion was made by Katie and seconded by Kurt. Board members passed the motion by the same 6‑1 margin as other key budget votes.
Later in the meeting the board gave final approval to the district's 2025‑26 budget for state fiscal 2026. The motion to adopt the budget was made by Kurt and seconded by Greg; the motion passed 6‑1. Board member Jamie cast the lone recorded no vote and explained on the record that her opposition reflected concern that the budget represented a 14.46% increase from the prior year.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25‑26‑8 (authorize LOB at 33%): Passed 6‑1. Motion by Katie; second by Kurt. - Adoption of 2025‑26 budget (state fiscal 2026): Passed 6‑1. Motion by Kurt; second by Greg. Recorded no vote: Jamie (cited 14.46% increase from prior year). - Consent agenda (Aug. 20 minutes, bills, HR report, donations/grants): Passed 7‑0. Donations accepted totaled $11,776.24 (three cash grants listed in the packet). - Maintenance vehicle purchase (two pickup trucks): Final approval to purchase two maintenance pickup trucks from John Ringler Chevrolet for $110,000: Passed 7‑0. - Emergency chiller repair at Lincoln Education Center: Final approval to P1 Service LLC of Topeka for $43,150: Passed 7‑0. - Lincoln Education Center intercom system: Final approval to DEC Electronics for $30,448: Passed 7‑0.
What the board said: Board members repeatedly thanked staff for working to limit tax increases and for holding down growth in operating rates amid inflationary pressures. Multiple trustees noted rising costs such as health insurance and energy were major drivers of expenses that affect the district's bottom line.
Board member Greg highlighted the district's transportation challenges and said the board supports exploring multi‑entity solutions to reduce driver needs so maintenance staff are not pulled from facility work to drive buses. Superintendent comments earlier in the meeting described a separate start‑time committee study intended to reduce required bus drivers by staggering school start and end times.
The consent agenda included three grants and donations totaling $11,776.24: $1,000 from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (Tyler Dowling Memorial Fund) for fit closet supplies; $1,125 from SkillsUSA Inc. to Manhattan High School for SkillsUSA travel expenses; and $9,651.24 from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (Lincoln and Dorothy Diehl Endowed Fund) for Flint Hills Summer Camp operations.
Ending: The board approved the district's fiscal plan for 2025‑26 and several capital and emergency maintenance expenditures. Trustees and staff said they would continue planning for longer‑term items discussed elsewhere in the meeting, including possible intergovernmental agreements and a transportation study that could affect future budget and staffing needs.
