The Homewood Elementary School District 153 Board of Education on Dec. 15 adopted the district’s 2025 tax levy and approved a parameter resolution to issue up to $8 million in general obligation bonds for life‑safety work.

Dr. Trimberger, who presented the levy details, said the district’s certificate figure was $22,639,000 and that after an abatement of $1,550,000 the operational request was $21,800,000. He told the board the levy request includes a 2.9% increase to cover a consumer price index adjustment (about $580,000) and other property-related adjustments discussed during the presentation. The superintendent’s office presented the allocation resolution to direct the levy to individual funds under the property tax limitation law; the board adopted both the certificate and the allocation resolution by roll call vote.

Trimberger also reviewed state approval of life‑safety work totaling $18,941,000 and outlined an immediate financing step: a parameter resolution authorizing a bond issue not to exceed $8,000,000 to begin summer 2026 work. He described planned priority projects as roughly $4.5 million for roofing, about $1.5 million for HVAC, and related project timing and coordination with the district’s capital consultant Studio GC. The presentation said additional bond sales are anticipated in subsequent years to fund the remainder of state‑approved work and other capital needs, and the bond structure was described as intended to keep debt‑service payments level.

The board approved the parameter resolution authorizing the 2026 general obligation school bond series and the motion to proceed with the sale, with Mesereau Financial Group named in the resolution as the purchaser and Bessero Financial identified as underwriter. Trimberger said the district had met with Standard & Poor’s for a bond rating and expected that rating by the end of the week; he also said the planned structure would not increase the current debt‑service levy. The sale was described as planned for Jan. 12 with a Feb. 3 closing.

Why it matters: The levy and bond decisions set levy amounts and launch financing for near‑term roof, HVAC and safety work across district buildings. They determine the district’s funding requests to the county and set the timetable for capital repairs described as life‑safety priorities.

What’s next: The board adopted the levy and authorized the bond parameter resolution; the district will proceed with rating, underwriting and a January sale timeline. Any future bond issues or additional financing steps were presented as subject to future board approval.