Colonial School District approves proposed 2025–26 budget with tax-rate increase, ratifies labor contract and multiple vendor agreements

On April 10, 2025, the Colonial School District Board of School Directors voted to approve a proposed final 2025–26 budget totaling $162,997,782 and approved several related contracts and policy updates.

The board’s finance committee presented the proposed final budget, which the presentation said totals $162,997,782 — an increase of $4,823,086 (about 3.5%) compared with the 2024–25 spending plan. The proposal includes a real estate tax of 26.495 mills, an increase of 0.817 mills (described in the presentation as a 3.18% increase over the prior year), and the planned use of $1,000,000 from the district’s fund balance. The administration said the tax change equates to $81.66 per year for each $100,000 of taxable assessed value “as presented.” The board stated the final budget will be considered at the June 9, 2025, board meeting.

The board also approved a successor collective bargaining agreement between the Colonial Board of School Directors and Colonial Educational Support…