Lewis Central board adopts FY2026–27 budget, sets levy around $11.20

The Lewis Central Community School District board voted April 20 to adopt the district’s FY2026–27 budget and certify a levy rate the district presented at approximately $11.20 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

Finance director Missus Race told the board the proposed levy is made up of several components: the state-set uniform levy of $5.40, an additional state-set portion she described as $1.43 tied to state aid, the instructional support levy at $0.20, a management fund levy she said would contribute roughly $0.46 toward the total, regular and voted PPEL levies, and debt service tied to previously approved GO bonds. Race said the district’s mix of taxable valuation has shifted toward commercial and industrial property, and that ‘‘the majority of that levy is out of our hands’’ because state and voter-approved portions make up most of the rate; she added that the board directly controls only a small portion of the total levy.

Race gave the certified levy figure as "11.20457" and reported the district’s total property tax amount for the year at $25,568,137. She told trustees the board would adopt the budget this evening and she would file the budget before the April 30 deadline with the Department of Management and county auditors.

The board heard no public comments during the hearing and then approved the budget by roll-call vote.

Board members and staff also reviewed the capital-project picture and bond proceeds previously approved by voters; Race and the superintendent said some capital contingency funds remain and will be prioritized for infrastructure such as HVAC and flooring projects.

The district’s budget adoption completes the formal local step required before filing with state officials; the superintendent said avenues for spending bond proceeds and next steps on project bids will be worked through with the facilities committee.