The Round Lake Area Board of Education voted Nov. 17 to adopt the district's proposed 2025 aggregate tax levy following a truth-in-taxation hearing and public comment.

Administration presented the levy estimate and explained the mechanics under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTEL). Staff said the district requested a 4.97% ballooned extension for levy year 2025 but expects statutory limits and updated equalized assessed valuation (EAV) in spring to determine the amount ultimately collected (administration estimated it would receive about 2.97%). The presenters said consumer price index for the levy calculation is 2.9% and the county's estimated EAV for the district is roughly $724 million. New-growth value is small in this budget cycle (about $588,000), producing approximately $26,000 in additional revenue outside PTEL.

Administration said the levy represents roughly 27% of the district's overall revenue (about $38 million) and noted that evidence-based state funding is the district's largest revenue source (~$81 million). Staff also disclosed cash-reserve trends: operating-fund cash reserves fell about 9% in FY25 and fund balance declined about 14%; FY26 projections show further declines but no fund is expected to go negative under the proposed levy.

The presentation included homeowner impacts calculated two sample homes: for an illustrative $200,000 home the administration estimated an annual tax increase of about $135, and for a $300,000 home about $181, after homestead exemptions and the district rate. Staff said levy calculations include conservative "ballooning" to avoid leaving allowable new-growth dollars uncollected when final EAV and new-construction values are certified in spring.

Public comment at the hearing included several residents who objected to the size or framing of the request. Mercedes Alfaro, a 35-year resident, said many families in the district are struggling and urged the board to "think about it" before raising taxes. Ricky Colon criticized the 4.97% figure, called the presentation "tone deaf" and asked for clearer ties between levy dollars and classroom expenses such as teacher pay.

Board members asked clarifying questions about translation of materials and community engagement; administration said FAQs are on the district website and additional translation work is in progress.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to adopt the resolution and file the certificate of tax levy for tax levy year 2025: motion carried by roll call (board members recorded as voting yes).
- Motion to adopt the Truth-in-Taxation certificate of compliance: motion carried.
- Separate roll-call resolutions adopting levy components (education, operations/building/maintenance, transportation, working cash, municipal retirement, social security, tort immunity, special education, special-education IMRF): each motion carried as presented.

What happens next
The board approved the requested levy package and associated resolutions; the district will finalize and file required levy paperwork with the county clerk by the statutory deadline. Administration will update the final extension once county-certified EAV and new-growth figures are available in spring.