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School district presents level-service budget; presenter warns CLA can raise local tax bills
Summary
LMHUUSD presented a level-service 2026–27 school budget; presenter Layne Millington said the State Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) heavily affects tax bills and noted homestead reimbursement for incomes below $115,000.
Layne Millington presented LMHUUSD’s proposed 2026–27 budget to the Select Board as a level-service proposal, meaning the district does not plan program increases beyond adjustments for inflation.
Millington said a correction to the initial budget brought the estimated tax rate down slightly and emphasized that the State’s Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) drives a large share of what residents pay in taxes, limiting the district’s ability to influence overall tax rates. "Residents are being penalized because the CLA is looking at the value of properties in the whole town," Millington said, framing the CLA as a key factor for individual taxpayers. Board members asked where CLA information can be found; Treasurer Elizabeth Karle said the State provides CLA information and reminded residents to submit homestead declarations, noting a homestead reimbursement available for income under $115,000.
The Select Board did not take a formal vote on the school budget at this meeting; Millington said the final district report is expected within a week and hoped it could be adopted by the Select Board at the next meeting.
