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Schuyler Community Schools board adopts 2025–26 budget, sets property tax request
Summary
After a public hearing, the Schuyler Community Schools Board adopted a $19.625 million tax request and a 2025–26 operating budget, citing increased insurance costs and plans to add to the district's cash reserve; the levy resolution was read and certified for submission to the county clerk.
The Schuyler Community Schools Board of Education adopted the district's 2025–26 budget and approved a property-tax request that will set the district's tax rate near $0.99 per $100 of assessed value, board members said at a meeting following a public budget hearing.
The budget hearing presenter (S3, a district administrator) told the board the district's total tax request is $19,625,164, with the general fund at $17,992,283, the bond fund at $1,082,003.18 and a special building fund at $146,005.23. The presenter said the district aims to continue growing its cash reserve — reporting a monthly expenditure reduction of about $150,000 and a cumulative cash-reserve increase from roughly $600,000 to about $3 million — and to add at least another $500,000 if the budget holds.
Board members said maintaining a multi-month cash reserve is a priority to avoid borrowing for routine expenses. "Have a 6 month or a 3 month cash reserve on hand to pay the bills and not have to worry about borrowing," the chair (S5) said when discussing reserve targets. The presenter noted last year’s insurance increases and the district’s efforts to constrain other spending.
Why it matters: the budget sets spending priorities for instruction, safety and operations and determines the district’s tax request to the county. The chair read a levy-resolution summary explaining that assessed-value increases have reduced some state equalization aid and that the district's proposed property tax request will result in a levy of about $0.99 per $100 of assessed value; the resolution must be certified to the county clerk by Oct. 15.
Board action and details: a motion to approve the 2025–26 budget was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call. The board previously held a dedicated tax hearing earlier in the meeting where the same tax-request numbers were presented; after routine questioning and discussion about reserves and forecasting, the board voted to adopt the budget. The chair announced the motion carried.
What comes next: administrators said they will continue to report quarterly financial snapshots to the board and the district community to show where funds are being spent and how reserve targets are progressing. The district emphasized that future decisions will aim to balance student learning and safety with fiscal stability.
Ending: The board completed the budget and levy actions and proceeded to other agenda items, including curriculum and personnel-related matters.
