Board votes to send notice of intent to exceed revenue‑neutral rate for 2026–27

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to authorize staff to send the county clerk a notice of intent to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate for fiscal year 2026–27.

At a presentation before the vote, district finance staff explained that the notice to the Shawnee County Clerk is a required step under state statute to preserve the option of adopting a levy above the revenue‑neutral level and that it does not by itself raise taxes. The district must file the notice by the July 20 deadline and still hold a public hearing and roll‑call vote in September before any change becomes final.

Finance staff outlined how the revenue‑neutral calculation differs from the mill rate, pointing out that rising appraised values affect the rate needed to generate the same revenues. The presenter gave last year’s total mill rate (reported in the presentation as 46.391) and said the district would need to be under about 44 mills to be revenue neutral this year, with final numbers to be refined as staff completes accounting and budget software work.

The board’s motion to permit staff to file the notice carried unanimously. The board did not set a final levy at the meeting; staff said they will return in September with recommended adoption and continue to fine‑tune figures in the meantime.

The vote took place after the board reviewed the timeline and staffing needs for closing the fiscal year and implementing the district’s budget software. The board also acknowledged the accounting and Tyler implementation team for their work closing the accounts promptly.

Next steps: staff will transmit the notice to the Shawnee County Clerk by the statutory deadline and will present final levy recommendations and a public hearing in September.