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Columbus School Board adopts 2024–25 budgets; mill rates adjusted amid lower taxable values
Summary
Superintendent presented a detailed trustee financial summary and the board voted to adopt the 2024–25 school budgets covering general, transportation, bus depreciation and tuition funds; the plan maintains relatively steady mill levies despite slightly lower taxable valuations.
The Columbus School Board approved the district’s 2024–25 budgets after a presentation from the superintendent that compared current and prior-year taxable valuations and reviewed fund-level line items.
The superintendent explained that although taxable valuation fell slightly, the proposed mill rates (including a modest increase for the high-school levy from 45.65 to 47.21 mills) and fund allocations balance educational needs and taxpayer impacts. He presented figures for the elementary general fund ($3,783,207) and the high school general fund ($2,441,430), transportation funds (elementary $305,000; high school $190,000), and bus depreciation schedules; the trustee financial summary was described as “robust” and was recommended for approval.
Board members asked clarifying questions about reserves, bus depreciation, tuition fund uses (special-education 1-on-1 costs, tuition to residential placements like Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch), and the effects of possible out-of-district enrollments. The superintendent noted uncertainty tied to upcoming policy changes that will shift some funding with students who attend other districts.
After discussion the board moved, seconded and adopted the budgets by voice vote. Trustees emphasized a desire to avoid peaks and valleys in mill rates and to preserve reserves while meeting staffing and curriculum needs.
The adopted budgets will guide district expenditures for the 2024–25 school year; the board did not adopt any new voted levies at this meeting.
