Special School District adopts FY26 operating tax levy after public hearing

The Special School District of St. Louis County board voted Sept. 23 to adopt the district’s FY26 operating tax levy of 0.8993 per $100 of assessed valuation after a public tax-rate hearing and brief comments from the public, Chief Financial Officer Sydney Ryland said.

Ryland told the board the state requires districts to set tax rates by Oct. 1 and to hold a public hearing; she said this is a reassessment year and the district’s average assessed values increased about 11.08%. “By state statute, the district has to set its tax rate for the fiscal year 2025–2026 by October 1,” Ryland said as she described the statutory timeline, state-auditor review and the county posting requirements.

Board members were shown the calculation that produced the proposed operating levy of 0.8993 per $100 of assessed valuation, a decrease of 0.0655 from the prior year’s rate. Ryland said the district expects estimated tax collections of about $334 million (assuming a 96.5% collection rate) and an increase over budgeted receipts of roughly $669,000 based on reassessment and new construction. Ryland illustrated the homeowner impact with a $300,000 house example and explained how the assessment rate and the levy produce the tax bill.

Ryland also briefed the board on the senior property tax-credit program enacted by the legislature and signed by Governor Parson. She said St. Louis County Council passed a substitute for Bill 146 that removed the program’s sunset provision and eliminated the debt-service component previously carved out, and she cautioned the board that the county program freezes tax liability for approved applicants. “So again, we still don't know the true impact of what this is going to do ultimately, but we do know it is a freeze on our revenue,” Ryland said.

During public comment, Tim Eye, executive director of the Special Education Foundation, thanked the board for listing the foundation’s October 13 charity golf tournament and described projects funded by prior tournaments, including four power wheelchairs (average cost about $36,000 each) placed on trial in district schools to assess mobility and communication benefits. “Our goal is to raise $350,000,” Eye said.

The board closed the formal tax-rate hearing after hearing no public comments specifically on the proposed rate, then took action on agenda item 6.01. A motion to approve the FY26 tax rate was made, seconded and the chair announced the motion carried.

Votes at a glance - 6.01 FY26 tax rate — Motion to approve the FY26 operating tax levy as presented; outcome: approved (motion carried). - 6.02 “Courage Is Built Here” agreement — approved. - 6.03 Early Childhood Special Education Coalition district service agreement — approved. - 6.04 Early Childhood Special Education Coalition Memorandum of Understanding (St. Louis Public Schools) — approved. - 6.05 Arise Technology LLC contract — approved. - 6.06 Peters Pet Partners and Wagmo contract(s) — approved. - 6.07 Arthur J. Gallagher workers-compensation bond — approved. - 6.08 Missouri United School Insurance Council property and casualty broker — approved. - 6.09 Personal assistant services/employee assistance program — approved.

Board actions that required roll-call voting included a motion to hold closed meetings on Sept. 23 and Oct. 14, 2025 to discuss litigation and personnel matters; Directors Sartorius, Suda, Nelson, Beaver, Vice President Cooney and President Meeks recorded votes in favor and the motion carried.

What happens next The adopted levy will be used on tax bills produced by St. Louis County later this fall; Ryland said the district filed required notices and the state auditor’s pro forma review was included in the board packet. The county’s processing of senior property tax-credit applications and certification of other jurisdictions’ rates remain sources of uncertainty the district will monitor.

Sources and attributions Statements and figures in this report come from the Sept. 23, 2025 Special School District of St. Louis County meeting: presentation and public comments by Sydney Ryland (chief financial officer), Tim Eye (executive director, Special Education Foundation), Jennifer Henry (chief communications officer), and remarks recorded in roll call and board motions.