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Kickapoo Area School District approves 2025–26 budget; tax levy set at $3.27 million
Summary
After a presentation from Baird Public Finance, the Kickapoo Area School District approved a roughly $8.0 million 2025–26 budget and a $3,272,963 tax levy; board and public discussion focused on declining state equalization aid, rising property valuations and special-education reimbursement assumptions.
The Kickapoo Area School District on Aug. 4 approved its 2025–26 budget and set a school-based tax levy of $3,272,963, following a detailed presentation on enrollment, revenue sources and spending assumptions.
Treasurer Earl Wallace reported district general revenue of about $8.02 million and proposed 2025–26 revenue of about $8.30 million; the district's proposed expenditures were presented at roughly $8.00 million, a year-over-year increase district officials described as in the low single digits. The board voted to approve the budget by voice vote after a motion and second.
Elise Murn, a public-finance consultant with Baird, walked trustees and the public through the levy components — the general operating levy, fund 38 nonreferendum debt and fund 39 referendum debt — and explained how a recurring referendum and a drop in state equalization aid contributed to the levy increase. “The public school district is really just a pass through,” Murn said, describing how the district collects certain voucher-related amounts that later transit to the state.
Board members and a resident raised concerns about property revaluations and tax-burden effects on retirees. A resident speaking during public questions said the increases “don’t feel sustainable” for those on fixed incomes; trustees noted the state’s biennial budget did not add targeted property-tax relief for schools and that higher local valuations relative to state averages can shift costs to local taxpayers.
On spending, Murn said about 64% of operating expenses are salaries and benefits and that special-education costs are a significant driver. The district is budgeting special-education reimbursement conservatively at 39% for 2025–26 (Baird noted a statewide allocation written into the biennial budget at 42% that may be prorated). Murn also highlighted that Open Enrollment revenue — students choosing to attend Kickapoo from other districts — contributed materially to revenues this year.
The budget presentation included historical charts of equalized valuation and mill rates and line-by-line fund 10 and fund 27 estimates; presenters confirmed ESSER/COVID relief funds are spent and will not support 2025–26 operations. The board approved the budget and the meeting moved on to routine annual resolutions.
What happens next: With elector approval at the annual meeting, the budget and levy proceed into the district’s 2025–26 fiscal year; officials said staff will monitor reimbursements and enrollment trends that could affect budget performance.
