Board previews Act 1 resolution that would cap next year's millage increase at 4.5%

On the agenda for the district's Dec. 1 meeting is a resolution to limit any 2026-27 millage increase to the state's Act 1 index, Business Manager Ryan Neely told the board.

"Our Act 1 index for next school year is set at 4.5% by the state," Neely said. "By adopting this resolution, we would be agreeing to adjust our millage by no more than 4.5% for the next school year." He added that the actual decision on millage will not come until June and that the resolution merely sets a maximum potential increase.

Neely confirmed the district's conversion that the 4.5% index equates to roughly 1.246 mills. He also said the district expects to work with Jamie Doyle of PFM and Anthony Ditka of Dinsmore Shohl as it prepares timing and preliminary steps for the next bond issuance tied to ongoing campus construction.

Neely outlined a tentative budget calendar: early January presentations on revenue and debt service; building- and department-level presentations beginning in February and continuing through early April; districtwide budget review in mid-April; passage of a proposed final budget on May 19; and the board's vote on final budget and millage at the June 23 meeting.

No formal vote on the Act 1 resolution was taken at this meeting; Neely asked trustees for feedback on the proposed schedule and invited questions before the Dec. 1 agenda.