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Verona board hears final 2025–26 budget proposal calling for 3.53% tax-levy increase
Summary
At a public hearing April 29, the Verona Board of Education reviewed a proposed $45.7 million 2025–26 budget that would raise the school tax levy 3.53%, increasing the average Verona homeownerschool tax by about $277.78; board members discussed state underfunding, special education costs and next steps before the May 11 adoption deadline.
The Verona Board of Education on April 29 held its final public hearing on a proposed $45,696,001.77 2025–26 budget that would increase the districtschool tax levy by 3.53%, a tax levy rise Jorge Cruz, the districtbusiness administrator, said is driven largely by higher health-benefit costs.
The plan would bring an additional $1.3 million in levy revenue and uses $913,000 of prior-year surplus, Cruz said. State aid is projected to rise roughly 6%, or about $163,000, and total non-levy revenue increases are estimated at about $283,000. Cruz told the board that, using the townships 2024 equalization value, the average Verona homeowners school tax would increase by about $277.78 under the proposal.
Superintendent Diane Giuseppe framed spending priorities around instruction and student supports. She said special-education programs serve roughly one-fifth of students and account for a disproportionately large share of costs; the district will not add special-education staff next year but will raise paraprofessional pay to improve recruitment. Giuseppe also described curriculum changes, including adoption of a K–5 literacy program and continued teacher training through LETRS.
"Verona is underfunded by state aid by about $800,000 a year," Giuseppe said, arguing the district has chosen not to push the levy higher and instead will eliminate two administrative positions to balance revenues and expenditures.
Board members pressed Cruz on how the district will preserve a healthy surplus. Cruz said surplus generation is increasingly difficult and that future surplus will likely depend on additional revenue sources such as grants or higher-than-projected extraordinary aid for special education. He estimated a conservative healthy surplus target near $700,000 for planning.
The board also discussed nonresident tuition rates and other line items: Cruz said the board-approved nonresident tuition rate is $17,000, and state-provided per-grade figures shown in the presentation were K $13,440; grades 1–5 $15,422; grades 6–8 $15,233; and high school $16,901.
No formal adoption vote on the 2025–26 budget was recorded in tonights public record; Cruz reminded the board that May 11 is the final day to approve the budget if the board does not adopt it at a special meeting before then. The district will post the user-friendly budget and full presentation on the Verona Public Schools District website, Cruz said.
