Clark Board Approves Tentative $53 Million Budget; Residents Question Tax Impact of Bond Referendum

At its public meeting, the Clark Public Schools Board of Education approved a tentative $53 million budget for 2026–27, board members said, with an operating tax levy set at 6.1% and debt service of about $2.8 million.

During a presentation, Mr. Rudo said the district’s general fund request is $49 million, special revenue $1.3 million and debt service $2.8 million for a total tentative budget of roughly $53 million. "The adjustment that will be taken is 1.5 million, which will raise the tax levy to 6.1%," he said, adding that health benefits rose about 22% year over year and that the adjustment is intended to cover increased health costs. The district listed taxes to be raised at $42,298,628 and said the levy change would translate to an average homeowner impact of about $324 on an assessed value of $528,000.

Public commenters pressed the board to reconcile the percentages and totals. Resident John Greavves asked why the increase looked closer to 10% when comparing last year’s numbers to the proposed levy and whether the bond referendum played a role. "We were told that that wouldn't happen," Greavves said, referring to earlier statements made during the referendum campaign about tax impact. Board staff said the 6.1% figure refers to the operating levy (the 2% cap plus a $1.5 million state-allowed health-cost adjustment) while the debt-service increase appears separately and reflects new debt from the recent referendum; staff offered to email a year-by-year debt-service schedule on request.

Resident Mike Schulman emphasized the state’s role in allowing adjustments above the 2% cap: "The state gives you adjustments to be able to go over the 2%." Board members and staff reiterated that operating and debt-service components are recorded separately on tax bills and that some debt-service increases are a direct result of new debt taken on after the referendum.

Miss Melnick moved to approve the tentative budget, Mr. Breedy seconded, and the clerk conducted a roll-call vote; the motion carried as recorded by the clerk. The board then approved a series of routine agenda items — including minutes, personnel, curriculum, policy, governance and finance items — with the clerk documenting a small number of abstentions on specific items.

During the reports section, administrator John Christie congratulated the new middle-school principal and said bids were accepted that evening for roof replacements, canopy and sidewalk work and fire-alarm updates tied to the bond-referendum projects. Christie also said the district had received state aid numbers and that preschool placements and the annual calendar would be posted districtwide.

In nonagenda public comment, a member of the public made a series of unverified claims linking transgender people to violent incidents; the chair closed that speaker’s time at three minutes and the board did not take action on those claims.

The board adjourned at the close of the meeting. The district offered to provide a detailed debt-service schedule and a breakdown of the levy and said follow-up information would be provided to members of the public who requested it by email.