Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz

The Munster School Board approved a $78 million budget for 2026 Monday night, along with a two-year teachers' contract which includes raises of up to nearly 5% for this school year.

Next year's spending plan is $1.66 million more than the 2025 certified budget for the district.

It allocates $31.3 million to the education fund; $13.4 million to the operations fund; approximately $12.6 million for the operating referendum fund; $9.3 million for the debt service fund; $7 million for the rainy day fund; $4.2 million for the referendum debt fund; and around $630,500 for the school pension debt fund.

The total school tax rate approved by the board was at $1.76 per $100 of assessed value.

"That is not the rate we believe it's gonna be," said Director of Financial

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