Fairfield Comm School District holds public hearing on proposed 2025–26 levy; residents urge alternatives

The Fairfield Comm School District Board of Directors held a public hearing March 24 on a proposed 2025–26 property-tax levy that the district said would increase to $12.77 per $1,000 of taxable value, which the board presented as a change from $12.11; officials said that for a $100,000 home the shift would mean about $104 more per year. The board tied the increase to rising insurance costs, a voter-approved 67-cent levy increase from last March and a special-education funding gap the district says state aid has not closed.

Why it matters: The levy would affect homeowners across the district and comes at a time when several speakers said economic pressures — including city and county tax increases — are squeezing residents on fixed incomes and contributing to population loss and declining enrollment that can reduce school revenues.

During a five-minute public-comment period, residents pressed the board for alternatives and for clearer communication about cost-cutting. "This is not sustainable," said Jennifer Pat, who urged the board to pursue “more creative ideas” and to engage the wider community in shared solutions rather than relying on recurring tax increases. Tim Goodell, who identified himself as retired, said recent increases have pushed his annual property-tax bill above $1,000 and that he may be forced to move if the trend continues: "I can't afford this," he said.

Other commenters urged program review and fiscal scrutiny. Clyde Campbell recommended the district examine curriculum and note that state funding follows enrollment; Diane Brandt, who said she is retired, asked for austerity measures and questioned whether all middle-school athletic programs are necessary. "We haven't seen cutbacks being done by the Fairfield Community School District," Brandt told the board.

Dr. Anil Maheshwari, a professor at MIU, offered a different angle, urging the district to consider technological and organizational efficiencies — including use of artificial intelligence, microcredentials and unbundling instructional, certifying and social functions — and offered to consult with the district on potential reforms.

District staff told the hearing the board has already trimmed about $900,000 from the budget to ease the levy impact and reiterated that the hearing is a forum for receiving public comment; the board will consider the levy and is scheduled to vote on April 21, 2025. The hearing record included no written comments.

Next step: The board takes formal action on the levy at its April 21 meeting; public comments from this hearing will be part of the record considered at that vote.