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Gilmanton school meeting adopts $1.19 million tax levy; board plans April referendum on shrinking fund balance
Summary
At its Oct. 27 annual meeting, the School District of Gilmanton approved a $1,194,496 tax levy for 2025–26, accepted the treasurer's report and audit, and passed a package of routine resolutions; the board said it will seek a referendum in April 2026 to address a projected fund balance shortfall.
The School District of Gilmanton's annual meeting on Oct. 27 adopted a $1,194,496 tax levy for the 2025–26 year and approved a series of routine resolutions, while board members said they plan a referendum in April 2026 to address an anticipated drop in the district's fund balance.
Board of Education President Daren Bauer called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Jackson Serum nominated Bauer for chair and Ann Steiner seconded; the board closed nominations and cast a unanimous ballot to elect Bauer chair. The board then approved the Oct. 28, 2024 annual meeting minutes on a motion by Tammi Olson, seconded by Jackson Serum.
The board reviewed the Treasurer's Report and noted an audit completed by WIPFLI, LLP. Tammi Olson moved to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented; Lance Peterson seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
On the meeting's key fiscal item, the board adopted Resolution 2025 A to set the district's 2025–2026 tax levy at $1,194,496. The motion was made by Jackson Serum, seconded by Tammi Olson, and carried by voice vote. District staff later said the approved levy corresponds to a mill rate of 6.85%.
The board also approved several other routine resolutions by voice vote, including: Resolution 2025 B to maintain board member payments at $60 per meeting and $80 for the board clerk (and to pay mileage at the IRS rate); Resolution 2025 C to provide breakfast and lunch to students at a shared cost between families and the district; Resolution 2025 D authorizing the board to obtain temporary loans for operational expenses if necessary; Resolution 2025 E authorizing disposal of surplus equipment and materials at the board's discretion; Resolution 2025 F authorizing student accident insurance for the 2026–2027 school year; and Resolution 2025 G authorizing the board to legally defend the district and its interests. All motions were seconded and carried by voice vote; the minutes do not record numerical tallies.
During questions and comments, resident Beth Kraft asked whether the board had a plan for an expected decrease in the fund balance. The board said it plans to hold a referendum in April 2026 to address that shortfall but has not identified a dollar amount; the board noted a November referendum would be another opportunity if the April measure failed. Kraft also asked why the tax levy was decreasing amid a funding gap; staff member Kory Rud advised that the state revenue cap prevents the district from levying more than the requested amount and confirmed the mill rate tied to the approved levy will be 6.85%.
The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. on a motion by Ann Steiner.
What happens next: the board intends to place a referendum on the April 2026 ballot to seek additional funds to address the projected drop in the fund balance; no amount or ballot language has yet been determined, according to the meeting minutes.
