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School officials approve Lincoln County levy budgets for fiscal year 2526
Summary
Lincoln County school officials approved the districtlevy budgets for fiscal year 2526 after brief discussion about rising retirement costs, an unexplained dip in some transportation levies, questions about a community college valuation figure, and confirmation of a $711,000 literacy grant.
Lincoln County school officials voted to approve the school district levy budgets for fiscal year 2526 after reviewing packeted figures that officials said were in line with the Office of Public Instruction (OPI).
Presenters told the board they had distributed budget packets and that the districtbudgets generally matched OPIcalculations. They flagged retirement costs as a primary driver of increases at some schools and said several districts had reappropriated cash balances. One presenter said the district secured a $711,000 literacy grant to be spread over four years to support reading coaches and implementation of the "science of reading." The presenter said the district must place reading coaches in schools to satisfy state grant conditions.
Board members asked why several transportation levy amounts declined this year; presenters and other members said they did not have an immediate explanation. Officials also noticed an apparent discrepancy in a mill valuation figure used for one sheet versus the county valuation (the meeting cited 52,621 as the mill valuation used elsewhere) and asked staff to verify whether a community college valuation number in the packet reflected last yearvalues or a different district boundary.
During discussion officials described staffing and enrollment shifts at small schools: McCormick was reported near 19to2020 students and Trio showed growth that changed staffing mixes (a mix of full- and half-time positions). A presenter explained state rules on minimum student counts for two-teacher staffing (roughly 22 students, with lower thresholds when classrooms include more kindergarteners).
A board member moved to approve the fiscal year 2526 school budget and another member seconded. The board solicited public comment (none was offered) and proceeded to a voice vote. The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally or named yes/no votes.
Officials said they would double-check the community college and county valuations cited in the packet and that they would sign and file the budget documents for the public record. The county superintendent also reported being invited to participate in a virtual state implementation board to provide local input on testing and standards alignment.
The meeting concluded with procedural items and adjournment.
