Scottsbluff board adopts $5.059 billion 2025–26 budget, citing levy decrease and bond payoff focus

The Scottsbluff Board of Education adopted the district's 2025–26 budget at its regular meeting after hearings earlier in the evening. Mary Anne, the district's presenting administrator, recommended a general-fund budget of $5,059,200,000 and said the district aligned the plan with five strategic priorities including recruitment, mental health, facilities, safety and student engagement.

Mary Anne said the general fund changes include a $92,000 increase in state aid and a $34,000 decrease in property-tax revenue tied to changes implemented three years ago, and that negotiated salary/benefit increases were largely offset by historic-expenditure reductions totaling $1.3 million. "We are recommending this evening that our general fund budget be $5,059,200,000 dollars," she said during the presentation. She also noted the district will contribute a lower retirement funding rate beginning with the July payroll (from 9.88% previously to roughly 8.08%).

The board voted (motion by Merrigan, second by Polk) to adopt the budget resolution after staff explained the numbers and the required newspaper notice that compares audited and proposed figures. Staff said the district did not need to wait for a joint public hearing because its tax request fell below the 2% plus real growth threshold.

Board members and administrators emphasized that the district has reduced its levy for several consecutive years while maintaining targeted investments. Administrative staff highlighted that roughly 91% of the district's recent increase in tax collections is being directed into the bond fund to accelerate payoff of high-school project bonds. The board approved the resolution by roll-call vote.