Marion Center Area School Board approves $31.26 million budget, sets tentative 4.5% real-estate tax increase

The Marion Center Area School Board approved the proposed 2026–27 general fund budget in the amount of $31,260,148 during its voting session June 22, 2026. The motion to adopt the proposed budget was moved by Mr. Hankinson and seconded by Ms. Dicken; the measure passed 8–1 (Ms. Young opposed).

At the same meeting the board set a tentative tax structure tied to that budget: a real-estate tax rate of 14.1060 (described in the agenda as a 4.5% increase), an earned income tax of 0.85% and a real-estate transfer tax of 0.50%. The tax-structure motion, moved by Mr. Hankinson and seconded by Ms. Ivory, also passed 8–1.

Public comment before the votes included an opposition statement from Bob Colgan of Colgan Lane, who said the community — particularly elderly residents — could not afford a tax increase: "Not interested in a tax increase with the proposed budget. The elderly citizens cannot afford a tax increase. The tax increase is taking from the community and giving to the teachers and administrators." The transcript does not record a direct response to that comment.

Board minutes record who voted yes and who voted no where provided. The board did not finalize a permanent rate in the session; the structure was set as a proposed/tentative rate subject to the district's usual property-tax adoption procedures.

The board also approved related tax resolutions on homestead and farmstead exclusions and an installment-payment resolution at the same meeting.