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Waterloo board certifies $265.7 million 2026–27 budget, holds levy steady
Summary
The Waterloo Community School District board on April 27 adopted a $265,741,217 certified budget for 2026–27 and set the property tax levy at 16.74483, unchanged from the prior year, after CFO JT Anderson reviewed enrollment trends, ESA voucher impacts and revenue sources.
The Waterloo Community School District on April 27 certified its 2026–27 budget at $265,741,217 and approved a property tax levy rate of 16.74483, the district’s chief financial officer told the school board.
JT Anderson, the district CFO, explained the certified budget establishes maximum expenditures and the levy that funds general, management and capital needs. He told the board the figure covers all funds and noted about 80% of expenses are salaries and benefits, with instruction comprising the largest share. Anderson also summarized enrollment declines, increasing educational savings account (ESA) counts, and the district’s receipt of about $8,100 in supplemental state aid per pupil next year.
Board members asked for context on how Waterloo’s levy and per‑student costs compare with nearby districts; Anderson pointed to a handout showing other Iowa districts’ levy changes and reminded members that one‑time capital costs (project-related bond proceeds) influence comparisons.
The board approved the certified budget and levy by voice vote after the CFO’s presentation and discussion of revenue and expense trends. The certification must be filed with the Black Hawk County Auditor and the Iowa Department of Education by April 30.
What happens next: the certified levy and budget determine the district’s maximum tax capacity and support the district’s operating plans for the coming school year. The board’s action also sets the stage for a scheduled public hearing May 11 on a planned $60 million bond issuance tied to the one‑high‑school project.
Sources: Presentation and fiscal Q&A by JT Anderson to the Waterloo Community School District Board of Education, April 27, 2026.
