LINCOLN, Nebraska (KLKN) – The Lincoln Public Schools Board heard from citizens on Monday evening about the district’s proposed budget.
LPS plans to increase its budget by more than $25 million for the 2024-25 school year.
This would bring the total budget to more than half a billion dollars.
A large portion of the increase – $18.6 million – will go toward salary and benefit increases for teachers.
SEE MORE: LPS proposes a $25 million spending increase in the 2024-25 budget
To do this, however, the district must increase the property tax.
“The most important thing we have heard from the public is that we now have clarity on the tax increases,” said Liz Standish, LPS deputy director of public affairs.
The district must also offset a $32 million decline in state aid.
Therefore, LPS proposed increasing the tax collection by 2.7 cents per $100 of value.
The average homeowner with a property valued at about $280,000 would have to pay about $3,088 in property taxes to the school district.
That’s about $75 more than last year, but about $300 less than the 2022-23 school year.
Carter Thiele spoke to the school board Monday evening representing the Lincoln Independent Business Association.
He said LPS is in a difficult situation.
“Although this is a proposed property tax increase, these decisions demonstrate recognition of the significant role the LPS plays in local home affordability,” Thiele said. “And they reflect the difficult decisions our members and others in the community must make when the cost of living increases faster than their income.”
He calls on lawmakers to do their part.
“For the future, it is absolutely clear that the state must find a way to redesign the state funding of our educational institutions,” said Thiele.
Standish said the district is doing its best to be considerate of homeowners.
“That’s something we talked about,” she said. “There really was no other way to replace that revenue, considering this budget calls for a 1% increase in revenue for the school district over last year.”
The budget proposal must be completed by September 30, so Standish encourages community members to voice their opinions before it’s too late.
