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Pittsburg USD 250 board adopts budget, approves tax resolution and several contracts
Summary
The USD 250 Pittsburg Community Schools board voted to adopt the 2024–25 budget and approved a resolution to levy property taxes exceeding the revenue-neutral rate; the board also approved procurement motions including a trash contract, a 14‑passenger bus purchase and handbook updates.
Unidentified Speaker opened a hearing on the revenue-neutral tax rate for the district and explained the mechanics of the RNR process, noting a revenue-neutral figure of 7.553 for the exempt general-fund portion and a presented combined rate of 24.988 for other funds. The board read a resolution (citing KSA 79-2-2988) authorizing property taxes to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the 2024–25 fiscal year and recorded an affirmative roll call from Rusty Akins, Carrie Kronister, Dr. Mickey Painner, Ed McKechnie, Jason Grother, Joe Kennedy and Kim English.
Why it matters: By adopting the resolution and approving the district budget, the board set tax and spending authority that will shape school operations for the coming year. Staff said recent state changes to the homestead exemption (noted in the hearing) can reduce taxpayers’ bills despite a flat mill rate in some cases.
Key actions at the meeting included:
Votes at a glance
• Resolution authorizing levy exceeding revenue-neutral rate (KSA 79-2-2988): Adopted by roll call; yes votes recorded from Rusty Akins, Carrie Kronister, Dr. Mickey Painner, Ed McKechnie, Jason Grother, Joe Kennedy and Kim English. (Provenance: resolution read SEG 181–SEG 201; roll call SEG 202–SEG 216.)
• Approval of 2024–25 budget for USD 250: Motion to approve by Ed McKechnie; second by Jason Grother; approved by voice vote ('Aye'). (Provenance: motion SEG 2580–SEG 2592.)
• Award of waste-removal contract to GFL Environmental: Board waived first reading and approved awarding the contract to GFL. (Provenance: discussion/approval SEG 2769–SEG 2803.)
• Purchase of 2020 Chevrolet 14-passenger bus from Southeast Cherokee USD 247 for $70,000: Motion by Ed McKechnie; second Jason Grother; approved by voice vote. (Provenance: motion SEG 2985–SEG 2994.)
• Approval of amendments to Dragon Way/handbook updates and other policy housekeeping items: Approved by motion and voice vote. (Provenance: policy/handbook discussion SEG 2664–SEG 2720; motion SEG 2838–SEG 2844.)
What the board said
To explain the RNR math, the presenter said, “To be revenue neutral, we really technically need to be at 7.553 as you calculate that,” and later walked members through comparisons of recent mill totals and per-mill revenue examples. Board members debated options to accept, lower or increase mills and emphasized capital-outlay and bond-interest constraints.
Details and context
Staff provided budget totals and flow-through figures for the board’s review: a general-fund subtotal of $30,025,004.45, flow-through payments of $4,298,098 and additional interlocal assessments of $1,842,007.61, producing a reported working budget figure of $23,884,005.86 (figures presented in the board packet). The board discussed that the local-option budget (LOB) stands at 32% (the state average) with a statutory ceiling noted; increasing the LOB would require a prior resolution and notification to KSD in the spring.
Next steps
The board approved motions giving the district authority to spend against the adopted budget and to execute awarded contracts; staff will follow up with contract paperwork, encumbrances and required notices. An executive session on a personnel matter was scheduled later in the meeting.
