Local proposed taxes to be levied for the 2025–26 school year were set at $5,206,318, up from $5,066,336 last year.

USD 435’s mill levy will go from 51.956 to 53.420.

At 53.420 mills, the owner of a $100,000 home will pay about $614 a year in school property taxes — up from about $598 under last year’s levy.

The Abilene Board of Education approved the budget Monday night, Sept. 8 after a public hearing to exceed the state’s revenue neutral rate, and a budget hearing.

School Superintendent Dana Sprinkle said the local option budget allows Kansas districts to raise extra revenue locally on top of state funding, up to 33% of their general fund. USD 435 had historically stayed at 30%, below the state average of 32.6%.

Raising it to 32% means local taxpayers will contribute more, but the d

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