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Shawnee Heights board approves publication of 2025–26 budget and revenue-neutral-rate notices
Summary
The Shawnee Heights Board of Education voted unanimously to publish notices for hearings on the district's proposed 2025–26 budget and its decision to exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate; hearings are scheduled for Sept. 15 and the notices will run in the CAP Journal Sept. 4.
The Shawnee Heights Board of Education voted 7-0 on Sept. 2 to approve publication of two public notices required by Kansas budgeting law for the 2025–26 school-year budget and for a hearing on exceeding the revenue-neutral tax rate.
The district presented its proposed 2025–26 budget maximum of $82,190,547 and asked the board to authorize publication of two notices in the CAP Journal on Sept. 4. The notices set public hearings for Sept. 15, with the revenue-neutral-rate hearing at 6:45 p.m. and the budget hearing at 6:50 p.m., and will allow residents to review documents and offer comment before the board acts at the hearing.
Sarah Darding, a staff member who presented the budget overview, said the district "expects to exceed the revenue neutral rate this year." Darding told the board the increase is driven largely by rising assessed property valuations even though the district's proposed mill rate — 51.441 mills — is slightly lower than last year’s published 51.443 mills.
The presentation detailed major budget drivers. The district proposed a 2025–26 base state aid per pupil of $5,615, a 4.4% increase from 2024–25. Darding also said nearly 77% of the district’s projected revenue for 2025–26 will come from state and federal aid (about $49.4 million) and roughly 21% from local property taxes (about $13.69 million). The proposed budget maximum includes transfers totaling $15,957,118 and net expenditures of $66,233,429; the presentation listed an average budget per pupil of $18,016.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the drop in federal funding compared with prior years; Darding confirmed the district’s previously higher federal share reflected one-time ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds that are no longer available. The district also noted that final assessed valuations may change slightly before the final mill rate is certified, but the mill rate would not exceed the published maximum of 51.441 mills.
Formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes show the board approved publication of the notice of revenue-neutral-rate hearing (motion by Board member Rosa Cavazos; second by Rocky Busnitz; outcome: approved, 7-0) and approved publication of the 2025–26 budget notice (motion by Board member Sarah Sanders; second by Rosa Cavazos; outcome: approved, 7-0).
The district indicated it will post budget documents on the business services section of its website and provide printed copies on request. The board will take final action on the budget and the revenue-neutral rate at the scheduled hearings on Sept. 15.
Votes at a glance: • Approve publication of notice of hearing on exceeding the revenue-neutral rate (hearing scheduled 6:45 p.m., Sept. 15) — Motion: Rosa Cavazos; Second: Rocky Busnitz; Vote: 7-0, approved. • Approve publication of notice of hearing on the 2025–26 budget (hearing scheduled 6:50 p.m., Sept. 15) — Motion: Sarah Sanders; Second: Rosa Cavazos; Vote: 7-0, approved.
