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Centennial budget committee approves $159.96 million 2025–26 budget, forwards levy and tax rate to board
Summary
After a presentation from the district business office, the Centennial School District budget committee approved the 2025–26 proposed budget — including a $99.6 million general fund — and forwarded the package to the school board for final adoption in June.
The Centennial School District budget committee voted to approve the district's 2025'26 proposed budget on May 28, 2025, forwarding the plan to the full school board for final adoption.
Paul Sotherton, director of business services for Centennial, told the committee the 2025'26 proposal reflects no changes from the earlier proposed budget and is intended to preserve student-facing services while drawing down a planned portion of the district's fund balance. "There are no changes from the proposed budget, financially or otherwise," Sotherton said during his presentation. He said the total proposed budget is $159,964,707, including a $99,613,216 general fund and $60,351,491 in other funds. The proposed general fund permanent tax rate is $4.7448 per $1,000 of assessed value; the proposed levy for bonded debt service is $4,189,105 to pay principal and interest on the district's 2020 capital bond.
The budget book, Sotherton said, shows the administration prioritized keeping co-curricular programs, counseling and mental health supports, CTE programs and class sizes stable. He noted the proposal relies on a planned use of $1,900,000 of ending fund balance as part of a multi-year spend-down intended to preserve services while returning reserves toward policy targets.
Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty and the district's response if those dollars decline. Sotherton and Superintendent Owens said the district is monitoring possible federal reductions and that restrictions on supplanting federal funds with local dollars limit options; they said district leaders would consult the board if large funding changes force material adjustments.
After the presentation and brief committee discussion, a committee member moved to approve the proposed 2025'26 Centennial School District budget, the tax rate and the bond levy as presented. The motion carried; the committee chair declared the motion approved and said the approved budget package will be forwarded to the board for formal adoption in June.
The administration said the committee and district will present a summary page for public information and will continue periodic budget updates, including a November status update and the formal board adoption in June.
Votes at a glance: the budget committee approved the proposed 2025'26 budget, the proposed general fund permanent tax rate of $4.7448 per $1,000 assessed value, and a $4,189,105 levy for bonded general obligation debt; the committee chair announced the motion passed and the package will be forwarded to the board for final adoption.
