001I need chocolate. [Music] >> Don't forget. >> Okay. >> Thank you for letting me do that. >> Okay. Yeah. Well, thank you. Cuz I said I don't know who's coming behind me. Who's not coming behind me? It's just a thank you. Mr. President, whenever you're ready. >> Let's rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Welcome everyone to our October 13th a Pike Township public hearing which we will have a public hearing on our 26 2020 um I'm sorry 20 26 2030 school bus replacement plan our 2026 2028 capital projects plan and our current year 2026 budget. Miss Gray. >> Good evening, Mr. President,
002Dr. Young, members of the board. We are here tonight for the public hearing on the published 2026 budget, the 2026 through 2028 capital projects plan and the 2026 through 2030 bus replacement plan. The purpose of this hearing is twofold. To share information with the community and to pro provide an opportunity for public comment. As a reminder, when we present the advertised budget, none of the key none of the key numbers are finalized such as student enrollment and property values. Because of this, we take a conservative approach. We advertise high and adopt lower. By law, we cannot adopt a budget or levy that is higher than what was advertised, but we are always allowed to adopt a budget that is lower. Advertising higher gives us the flexibility to make downward adjustments once the final data is
003available. This practice is not about spending more. It's about protecting the district's financial stability while remaining transparent. The budget form three notice to taxpayers was published in Gateway on October 2nd, 2025. The form three must be published at least 10 days prior to the public hearing. In addition, the full 2026 budgeting documents are posted to our district website. While this is not required, we do it as part of our commitment to transparency. Formal adoption is scheduled for October 23rd, 2025, which must be at least 10 days after the public hearing. At that time, I will request board approval of the 2026 budget, the 2026 through 2028 capital projects plan, and the 2026 through 2030 bus replacement plan. In this process, we advertise budgets and levies for our four major funds along with the rainy day
004fund. In the operating referendum fund, we have advertised for 17 million with a $19.2 million levy. In the debt service fund, we have advertised 21,144,100 with a 22,88,278 levy. This fund follows the amortization schedules of our outstanding debt and also includes anticipated debt from the approved 2025 first mortgage bonds. In the education fund, we have advertised 99.5 million. This fund has no levy and is prim primarily supported by the state's tuition support formula. While the per student funding has increased slightly this year, our certified ADM will not be finalized until this month. This count is a key component of the education fund revenue. In the operations fund, we have advertised 37.5 million with for both the budget and the levy. In the rainy day fund, we have advertised $1 million with no levy. In total,
005we have advertised 176,144,100 across all funds with a total levy of 78,788,278. In 2026, we are planning to replace eight buses. Buses are typically eligible for replacement once they are 12 years or older. This plan is an estimate and is reviewed each year during the budgeting process. The capital projects plan includes projects with expenditures greater than $10,000 expected within the next three years. These projects are also estimates and are re-evaluated annually through the budget process. In closing, the total advertised budget across all funds is $176,14,100 and the total advertised levy is 78,788,278. At this time, I recommend that Mr. President officially open the floor for public comment. >> Are there any questions, comments at this time? All right, no questions or comments. We'll move on. Thank you, Miss Craig. >> Next, we have board member
006items. Miss Wilson, >> what have you think at this time? >> Mr. Hoer, >> just welcome back from fall break. Nothing else. >> Miss Lawrence, >> uh, welcome back from fall break and check your emails. You can get your flu shot. Everybody stay well. >> Mr. Kelly, >> welcome back from Falberg. >> Dr. Young, >> nothing at this time. >> I don't have anything myself. So, we can get a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> I'll make a motion first to the meeting. Second >> meeting. Thank you everyone. >> Hallelujah. >> Wow. Who needs to collect these? >> Okay. >> You didn't mean to, but since you open your right, absolutely no problem at all. Zero apologies.