Millersburg board approves final 2025–26 budget and tax resolution amid mixed votes

The Millersburg Area SD board approved the district’s final general fund budget for 2025–26 and a separate tax resolution at its regular meeting.

In roll-call votes, the board approved the final 2025–26 general fund budget by a 6–1 margin; Mr. Peterson cast the lone 'No' vote. The finance presentation noted that with May actuals and June projections the district expects to finish the year roughly $0.5 million 'to the good' against a budgeted deficit of about $0.5 million, and that the district’s capital reserve remained around $3.5 million while capital project balances were about $1.15 million.

The tax resolution for 2025–26 passed by 5–2; Mr. Miller and Mr. Peterson voted 'No.' The board president confirmed the budget had been advertised and was available at the district office as required.

On disbursements, the board pulled a single YMCA check (check #51752 for $50) for a separate vote; the motion carried with one abstention (Mrs. Gray) and otherwise 'Yes.' The remainder of the bills were approved in a separate motion with roll-call recorded as affirmative votes.

Board members also approved a series of contracts and procurement items affecting capital and operations: a sanitary‑sewer rehab at the middle school, a bid to repair eight concrete pads near the middle school gym (members asked staff to confirm whether the cost comes from the operating budget or cap reserve), the 2025–26 propane bid, and camera procurements for buses, vans and the gym. Each item was approved by roll call.

Several personnel actions were approved alongside budget and procurement items, including hiring Damon Blair Jones as athletic director and lead mental‑health worker and salary increases for support staff that administration said had been budgeted.

The board accepted the retirement of Bonnie Shadle after 32½ years and approved a number of supplemental contracts and coaching hires. The board also approved multiple services agreements and vendor contracts (master services, Therabilities virtual speech, CAIU agreements, school physician, psychologist/special‑education oversight and others) as listed on the agenda.

The board did not amend tax or budget terms in the meeting; it approved the proposed budget and related contract and procurement items as presented.

Vote tallies and recorded roll calls are in the meeting minutes; where the transcript recorded explicit roll calls, the article reports the counts noted above.