Shawnee Mission board votes to seek authority to exceed revenue‑neutral tax rate; hearing set for Aug. 25

The Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education authorized, by a 7–0 vote on June 23, 2025, the district’s intent to exceed the state-calculated revenue‑neutral rate of 48.525 mills for the 2025 tax year.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher and Deputy Treasurer Russell Knapp briefed the board on the timeline and rationale. Schumacher said the authorization is a statutory step required by the timing of state and county deadlines and that the board will finalize a proposed tax rate after the state budget is complete. He recommended the board’s authorization of intent to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate so the district can complete required filings with Johnson County.

“State statute establishes a revenue neutral rate, which determines the mill levy rate to finance the 2025 annual budget that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as levied for the 2024 budget,” Schumacher said on the record. Knapp told the board the district’s total revenue‑neutral rate for 2025 is 48.525 mills and that the district will submit its proposed tax rate to Johnson County by July 20, 2025. After all taxing subdivisions submit rates, the county clerk will mail proposed levy notices to taxpayers.

Knapp and Schumacher said the board plans to hold a public hearing Aug. 25, after which the board will vote by roll call on any motion to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate. If the board approves a levy above the revenue‑neutral rate, the district must certify the approved tax levy to the county on or before Oct. 1.

Schumacher noted two statutory lines that drive much of the district’s need to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate: the requirement that school districts assess 20 mills for the general fund and the district’s option to assess up to 8 mills for capital outlay. A board member asked whether Shawnee Mission still had the lowest mill rate among Johnson County school districts; Knapp said the district’s 2024 mill rate was 51.3 and that the next lowest in the county (Blue Valley) was 53.596, based on the district’s published materials. The board member’s question and Knapp’s reply were recorded on the meeting record.

The motion to authorize intent to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate passed 7–0. Board members and staff said Mr. Knapp would return in August with more detailed numbers and that the August hearing would provide an opportunity for public comment and the board’s formal vote on the levy.

Votes and key deadlines: the board will submit a proposed rate to Johnson County by July 20, hold a hearing Aug. 25 and must certify any approved levy by Oct. 1, 2025.