USD 316 board votes 5-0 to approve resolution to exceed revenue neutral tax rate

The USD 316 Board of Education voted 5-0 on Sept. 9 to approve a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate for the 2024–2025 fiscal year during a revenue neutral rate hearing held at Golden Plains Middle/High School in Rexford.

President Paul Bruggeman called for a motion to open the hearing at 6:45 p.m.; "Motion by Focke, seconded by Wark to open the 2024-2025 Revenue Neutral Tax Rate Hearing. Motion carried 5-0." After the board opened the floor to patrons, the board approved the resolution: "Motion by Focke, seconded by Schiltz to approve the Resolution to Exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget by Roll Call Vote. Motion carried 5-0." A subsequent motion by Focke, seconded by Jason Rogers, closed the hearing with the same 5-0 tally.

The transcript lists the five voting board members as President Paul Bruggeman, Chad Focke, Jason Rogers, Jeremy Schiltz and Chad Wark; Matt Focke is recorded as absent. Administrative staff present included Superintendent Ashley Arnberger, Administrative Assistant Travis Smith, Principal Brandy Spresser and Clerk Nicole Schiltz. The minutes show signatures lines for the president and clerk but do not include any numeric tax rates, levy adjustments, projected revenue figures or verbatim public comments.

The action recorded in the minutes permits the board to adopt a tax rate above the state-calculated revenue neutral benchmark; the transcript does not specify the exact rate the district will set or when the board will adopt a final budget. No further hearings, dates, or follow-up motions are listed in the provided transcript.