Alexander Local board approves proceeding with 0.75% earned‑income tax levy after hearing $1.5M shortfall

The Alexander Local School District board voted May 13 to proceed with a November proposition for a 0.75% earned‑income tax after Superintendent Jim Hampton told the board the district faces roughly $1.5 million in potential reductions for 2027–28 if it receives no new local revenue.

Hampton said the district currently receives about $20.6 million in state and federal funding and has trimmed 33 positions and nearly $1.5 million in expenditures over recent years, but rising costs and flat state funding leave the district facing additional cuts. "If we're not able to secure a levy this fall, we will have to make $1.5 million in cuts," Hampton said, listing likely impacts including elimination of free breakfast and lunch, reduced busing (no pickups within two miles), larger class sizes, fewer electives and field trips, and reduced extracurricular offerings.

Board members described the proposed levy as a compromise: a 0.75% earned‑income tax that "does not tax your property" and would not affect retirement or investment income. The board and superintendent estimated the measure would raise about $1.5 million and cost an average household roughly $500 per year. "If this levy passes, it will help us. It will not fix us," Hampton said, adding that even with new revenue the district would continue to pursue efficiencies and strategic staffing changes.

Direct questions from the public prompted the board to commit to distributing a one‑page explainer summarizing where the district has been financially and what the levy would fund. Board members discussed outreach steps such as speaking engagements, phone calls and one‑page materials while noting legal limits on board members’ official advocacy in their formal capacity.

The board approved the resolution to proceed with the levy proposition by roll call (Blake: yes; Ben: yes; Jay: yes; Steven Crook: yes; Aaron: yes). The resolution directs district staff to complete the procedural steps to place the earned‑income tax question on the November ballot; the vote itself does not establish final levy language, which the district will publish for public review.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the May 13 meeting): minutes (April 13, 2026) — approved; April financial statements — approved; substitute and supplemental personnel actions — approved (one abstention recorded on a substitute/specialists motion by Steven Crook); renewal agreement for food‑service management (Nutrition Group) — approved; resolution to proceed with 0.75% earned‑income tax levy — approved (unanimous recorded vote).

Next steps: district leaders said they will post the one‑page levy explainer, present a follow‑up financial forecast at a future meeting and form informational outreach plans. Any final levy language and timetable for voter materials will follow the customary two‑meeting reading/notice process.

The board returned from an executive session later in the evening and adjourned without taking additional public action.