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Schuyler Community Schools board adopts 2025 budget, sets 99¢ property-tax request; approves package of routine motions
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Schuyler Community Schools board approved the district's 2025–26 budget and a property-tax request that will produce a 99¢ levy per $100 of assessed value, and approved a series of motions including a CKLA pilot purchase, recognizing the district's education association as the exclusive bargaining group, surplusing two buses, and evaluation-handbook revisions. Votes were unanimous.
Schuyler Community Schools' board approved the district's 2025–26 budget and a property-tax request that will result in a 99¢ levy per $100 of assessed value, the board said at its regular meeting.
District staff (S2) told the board that the proposed tax request totals $19,625,164 and reflects a 4% increase in the district's tax asking compared with the prior year due largely to higher assessed valuation. "Our proposed property tax request will cause our tax rate to be 99¢ per 100 of assessed value," S2 said while walking the board through the district's revenue and spending breakdown and noting the board's goal to grow cash reserves.
The board moved and approved the levy resolution after the reading of the resolution and a roll-call vote. The resolution affirms that the district will certify its tax request to the county clerk by the statutory deadline.
Votes at a glance
- Adopt 2025–26 budget: motion moved by S1, seconded by S4; roll-call vote unanimous in favor. Outcome: approved.
- Approve levy/property-tax resolution (sets tax rate consistent with the request above): motion moved by S3; roll-call vote unanimous in favor. Outcome: approved.
- Purchase CKLA pilot materials for K–5 (see separate article): motion moved by S1, seconded by S4; roll-call vote unanimous in favor. Outcome: approved.
- Recognize Schuyler Community Schools Education Association as the exclusive bargaining group: motion moved by S1; roll-call vote unanimous in favor. Outcome: approved.
- Surplus two buses (2009 Thomas Saf-T-Liner and 2012 International): motion moved by S1, seconded by S4; roll-call vote unanimous in favor. Outcome: approved. Notes: proceeds to depreciation fund; district will determine timing of sale.
- Approve revisions to the certified-employee evaluation handbook (new cadence of walkthroughs and formal observations): motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote unanimous in favor. Outcome: approved. Board and administrators noted state approval may be required for final implementation.
Why it matters
Board leaders emphasized that the district has reduced monthly expenditures over the past year and is focused on continuing to build a multi-month cash reserve to avoid borrowing. Administrators said roughly 64% of district revenue comes from property taxes and that the district intends to prioritize spending that directly supports student learning and safety.
What's next
Administration will move forward on purchases and the implementation steps approved by the board, coordinate any state approvals needed for evaluation changes, and certify the tax request with the county clerk by the statutory deadline.
