The CHSD 128 Board of Education on Nov. 17 adopted a final 2025 tax levy request of $103,157,298, a figure the district's finance staff said includes a $300,000 cushion to protect against estimation uncertainty.

Dan Sandler, the district's finance presenter, told trustees the levy request translates to an average 2.9% increase for existing homeowners (the CPI figure set in January) and a projected overall extension increase of about 3.7% once new property growth is included. "Our levy is set at 103,157,298. That allows us for a $300,000 cushion," Sandler said during his presentation.

The levy was reviewed at finance committee and earlier board meetings before final adoption. Trustees asked questions about long-term fiscal management and operational efficiencies as they move into the upcoming budget-planning cycle. Trustee Doug Fleagle urged the board to pursue operational savings, noting residential property taxpayers account for a large share of district revenue.

After discussion, the board moved to adopt the 2025 levy "as presented." A roll call recorded trustees voting in favor and the motion passed. The district will file the levy with the county next business day; state law requires final filing by the last Tuesday in December.

Board President Jim Batson said the district will continue budget planning work and monitor the assumptions behind estimates. The meeting then moved on to informational items and subsequent executive session; no further public actions were taken on the levy at the meeting.