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SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS board adopts $19.6 million 2025–26 budget, approves tax request and several motions
Summary
The Schuyler Community Schools Board approved a $19,625,164 2025–26 budget and a property tax request that sets a levy of 99 cents per $100 of assessed value; the board also approved a CKLA K–5 pilot purchase, recognized the district bargaining group, voted to surplus two buses and approved evaluation handbook changes.
The Schuyler Community Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a $19,625,164 budget for the 2025–26 school year and to submit a property tax request that will set the district’s levy at 99 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The presenters said the district’s assessed valuation rose about 11 percent, which reduces equalization aid from the state even as the board is asking for a 4 percent increase in the tax asking. The presenter explained the total request breaks down into a general fund of $17,992,283, a bond fund request of $1,486,358 and a special building fund request of $146,523, for the overall $19,625,164 figure.
“We are asking for a levy that reflects our local needs while continuing to build our cash reserve and manage rising costs like insurance and instructional expenses,” the presenter said during the tax hearing.
Why it matters: district officials said the board has been rebuilding reserves — from about $600,000 previously to more than $3 million — and aims to add at least another half‑million to that reserve. Administrators told the board they expect roughly 80 percent of district spending to remain on staff and that about 64 percent of revenue comes from property taxes.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - CKLA K–5 pilot materials purchase — motion passed on roll call (all board members recorded “yes”). - Recognition of Schuyler Community Schools Education Association as exclusive bargaining group — motion passed on roll call (all “yes”). - Surplus and sale of two buses (2009 Thomas Safety Liner and 2012 International) — motion passed on roll call (all “yes”). - Approval of proposed changes to the certified‑staff evaluation handbook — motion passed on roll call (all “yes”). - Resolution 256: property tax request and levy setting — motion to adopt and certify the levy passed on roll call (all “yes”). - Adoption of the 2025–26 budget — motion passed on roll call (all “yes”).
Board members asked clarifying questions during the presentations about how sale proceeds from the buses would be coded (administrators said funds would return to the depreciation fund), whether staffing would remain covered if the district reduced bus count (administration said activity trips often use vans and that six buses would provide a spare), and how the levy change affects individual taxpayers; administrators provided examples showing how different levy choices could affect a hypothetical homeowner.
Next steps: The levy resolution will be certified to the county clerk on or before Oct. 15 as required; pilot purchases and surplus authorizations allow administrators to proceed with purchases or listings but do not obligate immediate sale of assets when the board chose to hold timing flexibility for the 2012 bus.
