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Southern Columbia Area SD board advances preliminary 2026–27 budget with proposed 3% tax increase
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Summary
At its April meeting the Southern Columbia Area SD board voted to post a preliminary 2026–27 budget including a proposed 3% property tax increase for the required public‑notice period; members also flagged an unresolved VOTEC shortfall and pending teacher contract negotiations that could change final figures.
At its April regular meeting, the Southern Columbia Area SD Board of Directors voted to advance a preliminary 2026–27 budget that includes a proposed 3% increase in property taxes, sending the proposal to the required public‑notice period before a final adoption vote.
Board Chair (Chair) called for a roll‑call vote after a finance committee update that described year‑end reporting and a proposal to reallocate leftover VOTEC project funds. The motion, made by Cindy and seconded by Kendall, passed on roll call with seven votes in favor and one opposed (Jim LeVan).
The vote comes as district leaders warned the board that a VOTEC financial review had identified a potential shortfall. "They're looking at basically a $1,000,000 shortfall," said a committee member, noting committee work had reduced the projected gap to roughly $180,000. Superintendent‑level staff (Staff member) said administrators have cut $678,000 so far and are attempting other savings, but cautioned that outcomes will depend on the pending study and unresolved teacher contract negotiations. "Without the study being complete, without teacher contract negotiations complete, I think that, we worked really hard... but those things obviously are big," the staff member said.
Board members emphasized that this vote is an interim procedural step. Chair noted the proposed rate and expenditures can still change before a final budget and must be posted for at least 30 days prior to final action. The motion’s procedural details: motion by Cindy, second by Kendall; roll call recorded votes in favor from Josh Majeski, Blaine McCarrot, Cindy Brassington, Jill Haas, Drew Hampton, Kendall Hayman and Josh Hoglund, with Jim LeVan recorded as opposed.
The board’s next steps are to publish the proposed budget for the statutorily required notice period and to return with updated numbers after the pending study and the outcome of collective bargaining talks. No final tax increase was adopted at the meeting; adoption will require a subsequent vote after the public‑notice period and any adjustments the board makes.
