Larger School District levy approved at annual meeting

Final numbers were slated to be released by the state this week, but voters in the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District approved a preliminary tax levy of $7 million for the 2025-26 school year at last week’s annual meeting, an increase of $400,000, or 6%, from last year.

State aid is decreasing by 5.75%, open enrollment payments are increasing — the district loses $205,000 through the program this year — and an increase in voucher expenses affect the district’s budget, Business Manager Tera Rogers said during her annual budget presentation.

“Property taxes will be going up,” she said.

The district’s enrollment, calculated on a three-year rolling average, is expected to be 864 this year. Last year’s funding was based on 901 students, and the district received more revenue as a result.

The state allowed spending $325 more per student, but that is from local taxpayers and not state aid, Rogers said.

District property values eclipsed $1 billion for the first time, increasing by 14.1%. They have increased by 67% the last five years.

The district’s voucher payments are higher this year. Last year, 52 students who live in the district attended a private school for $628,000.

“That’s money we have to pay to those schools to educate those children,” Rogers said.

Voucher payments are increasing by 6% this year, costing the district an additional $50,000. The increase in vouchers excees the increase in open enrollment and the district’s revenue limit, Rogers said.

The final budget is slated to be approved by the board this month.