Douglas County SD 4 board approves $133.94 million 2025–26 budget and hears grant, maintenance updates

The Douglas County SD 4 Board of Education on an affirmative vote approved the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget, $133,941,774.10, and a permanent property tax rate set to balance the general fund.

At a regularly scheduled meeting, district staff presented a special funds review that outlined how a range of state and federal grants are being used in the district, and staff discussed major maintenance priorities, seismic grant activity and summer-school sites and funding.

The board approved the budget after a motion to adopt the proposed 2025–26 budget and to set the permanent property tax rate was moved and seconded. The chair called for the question and the motion passed. The board also voted earlier in the meeting to approve the previous meeting’s minutes.

Michelle Meade, district staff (presenter), summarized the uses of state Student Investment Account (SIA) funds, saying the Student Success Act (SIA) “can be used for two purposes, meeting students’ mental and behavioral health needs and also increasing academic achievement and reducing academic disparities.” Meade described SIA investments the district is funding next year, including social-emotional-learning coordination,…