The Manhattan School Board held a special meeting to discuss the tax levy, and the aggregate extension totaled $15,947,831.88.
Superintendent Ron Pacheco noted that the following funds would be extended: the education fund $12,829,108.72, tort immunity $196,680.53, special education $452,556.19, operation and maintenance $1,477,968.31, transportation $734,210.36, IMRF $148,942.54, Social Security $98,340.26, and working cash $10,024.97. The bond and interest levy after the abatement will be $4,309,786.00. The total extension for Fiscal Year 2026 will be $20,313,471.33.
The bond and interest levy prior to the abatement was read as $8,175,503.00 by Pacheco. The proposed total abatement amount from the County Clerk was reportedly $3,865,717.00, which the board approved. After the abatement, the total bond and interest levy amount was reported as $4,309,786.00.
“The effective tax rate for Manhattan School District 114 in fiscal year 26 will remain unchanged from our current fiscal year 25 rate of 4.2552,” Pacheco said.
Although the Board had tabled a vote on a new four-tier bell schedule at the last regular meeting, there was no discussion at the special meeting. Pacheco did note at the previous meeting that a vote of approval for the bell schedule was not required; however, President John Burke had wanted the school board to adopt it. When the district released the bell schedule at the meeting, board members Donald Knoll, Barb Steffen, and Vice President Emily Wessel paused the proposed schedule and wanted to look into it further.
The Board entered into closed session “to discuss appointment employment compensation evaluation performance and our dismissal of specific employees and or specific individuals.”
but did not take action or provide public comment following the closed session meeting.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
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