Charles City Schools Proposed Property Tax Levy for ’26-27 School Year Coming Down Even More 

The property tax levy in the Charles City School District is expected to be reduced more than expected for the 2026-2027 school year.

The School Board held a public hearing on the proposed max tax levy on Monday (03.30). As published with the hearing notification, the Grand Total Levy Rate in the school district was slated to drop from about $12.87 per $1,000 of taxable valuation for the current school year ending June 30th, down to about $12.37 starting July 1st.

However, Superintendent Brian Burnight informed the Board that the Department of Management (DOM) has further adjusted their rate downward. With the State picking up the budget guarantee, the anticipated official rate for the coming year will come down 59-cents in all to $12.28.

The Board followed the tax rate public hearing with a special session, setting the public hearing date for the proposed FY27 budget for April 13th. Once the budget is approved, the property tax rates will become official.

The Board also voted to move on improvements and upgrades to the High School building, including authorizing FEH Design to begin the bidding process for Phase 1 of the ongoing construction project, to be covered largely by the Board’s $4 million initiative approved last March. Upcoming Phase 1 priorities include specialized ventilation for the Art kiln and critical HVAC upgrades, with preliminary site work to begin as soon as possible.

The Board also set a public hearing for April 13th to discuss the issuance of $12.5 million in Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) bonds, which Burnight says is essential for completing the comprehensive project list reviewed during the March 13th Board meeting. Items on that list include asbestos abatement, making bathrooms ADA-compliant, and turning the High School gym balcony into a weight room, with the current weight room becoming the wrestling room.