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Lewis Central board sets FY27 budget timeline, warns state aid uncertainty could force adjustments

Lewis Central Comm School District Board of Education · February 17, 2026

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Summary

Finance presenter Mrs. Rice told the board the district must file its initial maximum property tax by March 5 and hold two public hearings (proposed April 6 and April 20) before certifying the final budget on April 30; board members noted SSA (state student-aid) uncertainty could affect decisions.

Mrs. Rice presented the district’s January year-to-date finance report and laid out the FY27 budget timeline for the Lewis Central Comm School District board on Feb. 16.

"By March 5, I will file our initial maximum property tax with the Department of Management and with the county auditor," Mrs. Rice said, describing a sequence that requires the district to set a maximum property-tax figure in early March, hold a first public hearing (outside a regular meeting) proposed for April 6, and then hold a second hearing and adopt the budget during the regular April 20 meeting so the final budget can be certified by April 30.

Rice reminded the board that the largest unknown for the budget is the State Student Aid (SSA) number. Board members noted current legislative proposals ranged from a Senate figure of about 1.75% to House discussions around 2.25% and a governor proposal near 2.0%. Board members and administrators agreed that a lower SSA could prompt renegotiation of agreements tied to compensation or otherwise affect budget planning.

Rice also reviewed capital-fund balances (PPEL, bond, SAVE) that the district expects to use for upcoming projects and said enterprise funds (nutrition, day care, pool) are running within budget. She urged the board to set an appropriately high "maximum" property-tax figure to preserve flexibility until SSA is finalized.

No final budget action was taken at the meeting; Rice told the board she would file the initial maximum-property-tax figure by March 5 and bring the budget-guarantee resolution for board consideration at the next meeting.