Smith-Green Community Schools holds public hearing on 2026 budget; no public comment

Smith-Green Community Schools held a public hearing Oct. 6 to present the proposed 2026 budget, including the advertised debt-service rate of 1.1197 and an estimated fall rate of roughly 0.9746, district staff said.

District staff described the budget binder and Form 3 that was advertised to taxpayers, walking board members through fund-level estimates, current-year financial worksheets and revenue assumptions. "In front of you is your budget finder. . . the advertised rate of 1.1197. We are estimating that that should fall roughly about 0.9746," the presenter said. The presentation noted an education-fund estimate transcribed as 1,766,528 and a current-year actual number transcribed as 1,669,448.

The staff presentation included a bus-replacement schedule: a passenger bus in 2026, a special-education bus in 2027, two passenger buses in 2028, two 14-passenger buses in 2029 and a large bus in 2030. The capital project wish list covered classroom furniture, track fencing and discus cage repairs, parking-lot paving (noted as a wish list item), scoreboards and gym-floor and stage refinishing and repairs.

Board members asked clarifying questions about data issues and timing for final tax receipts; staff said some figures will be adjusted when year-end tax collections are finalized. With no one signed up to speak during the public-comment portion, the board skipped public comment and adjourned the public hearing at 6:42 p.m.

The board reconvened immediately for a special meeting to consider bond-related business later that evening.