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Leon County School Board adopts tentative 5.366‑mill rate, shifts $7.5M from capital to balance budget
Summary
The board approved a tentative millage rate of 5.366 mills and a tentative FY2025–26 budget after staff described a one‑time $7.5 million transfer from capital outlay to the general fund to meet the state‑required 3% fund balance. The board scheduled a final hearing for Sept. 9, 2025.
The Leon County School Board on July 29 adopted a tentative millage rate of 5.366 mills for fiscal 2025–26 and approved a tentative budget that district staff said is roughly $645 million across all funds.
CFO Miss Sanders told the board the rate is advertised as an increase because it exceeds the rollback rate; it breaks down to 3.118 mills for required local effort, 0.748 mills discretionary operating, and 1.5 mills for capital outlay. Sanders said the tentative budget is about 2.5% below last year and that special revenue is down due to ESSER funding ending.
In response to projected shortfalls, staff described a one‑time reallocation of roughly $7.5 million from capital outlay into the general fund (including moving bus driver salaries) to reach the legally required 3% unrestricted fund balance. Board members pressed on impacts; staff said the transfer will delay some capital projects — such as roof replacements and major renovations — and that the move is a stopgap that cannot be repeated without additional revenue.
Board members also said the shift will slow some planned school improvements and urged community engagement with state funding decisions. The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution determining revenues and millage and to adopt the tentative millage rates and tentative budget as presented. The board also scheduled the required final public hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Aquilina C. Howell Center and authorized the superintendent to notify the property appraiser of the tentative rates and hearing details.
The superintendent and CFO said staff will return in September with final budget details; they also pledged to follow up on specific questions raised by board members, such as how meal price changes will be communicated to parents.
