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Lowell Area Schools approves 2025–26 budget appropriations and millage rates after hearing on tax rollback effects
Summary
Trustees adopted amendments to the 2024–25 budget, approved the 2025–26 appropriation resolution and millage rates, and heard that Headlee-related rollbacks reduced operating and sinking fund mills despite rising taxable values.
The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education approved final amendments to the 2024–25 budget and adopted the 2025–26 appropriation resolution and millage rates after a Truth in Taxation hearing on June 9.
At the hearing the district’s budget presenter described the millage structure that supports operations, sinking fund capital projects and voter-approved debt. "Last year, our levy was 17.9082 mills, and this year, it's being rolled back," the presenter said, citing rapid increases in taxable values that trigger the Headlee rollback and reduce allowable levy rates.
Why it matters: the operating millage funds general operations (primarily non-homestead and commercial personal property), the sinking fund pays for capital projects and restricted instructional technology, and a separate 7-mill levy covers principal and interest on voter-approved bonds. The board’s actions set the legal spending authority and tax rates the district will use for fiscal 2025–26.
Key details adopted by the board include the final 2024–25 amendment, which accounts for bus purchases (two buses received and paid this year; two authorized units delayed until fall), and a projected 2024–25 ending fund balance of about $10.2 million (unassigned balance roughly $9.9 million, approximately 19.7% of expenditures). For 2025–26 the presenter estimated revenues and expenditures just over $51 million each and a modest projected excess revenue of roughly $82,000, noting that pending contract settlements and final state/federal allocations could change that outlook.
The board also approved routine fund resolutions, including food service and student activity funds. District staff noted a planned Cherry Creek Kitchen equipment purchase using food service capital outlay funds that will be stored until installation is possible to meet state timelines.
Board members asked clarifying questions about Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) accounting and were told the grant is budgeted to fully cover the program’s expenses; staff said carryovers and grant-use projections informed the recommended appropriations.
What’s next: the millage rates adopted tonight set the tax limits the district may collect for 2025–26; the budget will continue to finalize once contract negotiations and state allocations are confirmed.
