Britton-Hecla board holds public hearing on proposed 2026–27 budget, flags levy increase and $575,000 transfer

The Britton-Hecla School District 45-4 Board of Education held a public hearing July 13 on the proposed 2026–27 budget that would shift $575,000 from the Capital Outlay fund and increase tax levies to support upcoming expenditures.

The budget materials presented to the board show a proposed transfer of $575,000 from Capital Outlay, a plan to raise the capital outlay levy (noting an increase from a $1,500,000 level toward a $2,000,000 target), and continued consideration of the Special Education mill levy at .85 with the possibility of raising it if a new placement is required. The packet also flagged proposed increases in school lunch prices to offset climbing food and operational costs.

No members of the public offered comments during the hearing. The board closed the hearing and returned to regular agenda business; the board will consider formal adoption of the budget at its August regular meeting.

The hearing materials included detailed fund statements for General, Capital Outlay, Special Education, Food Service, Enterprise and Trust funds showing beginning balances, revenue, expenditures and ending balances. The documents list specific revenue sources and vendor claims for June and July, and provide payroll and benefits totals for the period presented.

The hearing text did not identify a single presenter by name in the minutes; the budget notice in the minutes reads as a staff-produced packet of fund figures and levy proposals. The board did not take a final vote on the budget at the July meeting.