[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6202131,"mediaKeyId","3787695-ac22003ef19febe8e1bffd6a9de5a7b0","parentId",3787695,"title","Box Elder board adopts tentative FY26 budget and tentative tax rates, advances plan for possible $110 million school construction loan after public outcry","audioSeconds",3617,"startMs",4393000,"endMs",8010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787695-ac22003ef19febe8e1bffd6a9de5a7b0&start=4393&end=8010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787695-ac22003ef19febe8e1bffd6a9de5a7b0/thumbnail_4393000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6202131/Utah/Box-Elder-board-adopts-tentative-FY26-budget-and-tentative-tax-rates-advances-plan-for-possible-110-million-school-construction-loan-after-public-outcry","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202131-891dd2c31e3dcb0c60529a88b02e79e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771038283&Signature=QODdkl2lqzwXR8f2mreNX6SYvEQiFC~r-NYzItC3iQ10qohcuUkH9o6LlpPGW07ZMXrDJq2fqsAeNxMF6nqVCiJhVgNFVVMAGXYPiJPybsJ7jlhnH12OpHfIB6IYiIJeDh2MKU55CZmDi1SnkvvDuUx4CTVA6EUsWEwdhJhYg7PXmHiZd8Ik2YqPfdmO5UO6lcJlt2KRXdHqLJIO2gLUWQa6gHY7P1ABGRP-fk~4FrjjUqXIOtY-6OJg1o75QUI37JjINNo1aCxmU52c9qMKUaoVZEizX93V1UbkQrsikvQNBfa6QAhZ7c087KwFvCYJqDXu3v2YvcVo89CnN9ruyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Box Elder School District","date","2025-06-12T04:53:50Z","article","The Box Elder School Board on June 11 approved a revised FY25 budget and a tentative FY26 budget that includes a proposed $110 million lease-revenue financing plan to fund school construction and expansions. The board also voted to set tentative tax rates to support the budget; both the budget and the tax rates remain tentative and will be finalized after Truth in Taxation hearings required by state law.

Why it matters: The tentative budget sets the district’s planning framework for FY26 and signals a potential major capital borrowing program. Administrators told the board the proposed $110 million lease‑revenue loan would carry an estimated annual payment of about $8.8 million at a 5% interest assumption; staff said the annual cost could translate initially to roughly $25 per household per month, declining over the life of the loan as other debt obligations roll off the district’s schedule.

Budget and bond details: Finance staff presented historical context (WPU/WPU adjustments, state one-time and ongoing funds) and several specific budget items. The FY26 proposal included a roughly 6.2% compensation increase for employees (2.19% contractual step/lanes, 2% negotiated and an additional 2% proposed for market competitiveness), a $4.6 million proposed design budget for high-school planning, and a line item for an $110 million lease-revenue financing (described by staff as supporting expansions at two high schools and construction of a new elementary school). District staff estimated the annual payment on a $110 million facility financing at about $8.8 million and showed projections in which the average household impact would fall under $10 per month in later years as other district debt and tax-increment financing commitments expire.

Public comment and board reaction: The budget hearing gathered more than a dozen public speakers. Several residents—particularly older or fixed‑income taxpayers—urged the board to respect a November referendum in which voters rejected a prior property-tax increase, warning further tax increases could price people out of homes. Other speakers urged quicker construction of safe, modern facilities, especially at overcrowded elementary sites. The hearing included multiple requests that the board work with city and county leaders on coordinated planning. Following public comment, a board member read a prepared statement dissenting from the proposed budget and said they would cast a “no” vote, arguing the proposal disregarded the November vote and risked further burdening taxpayers; the board nevertheless approved the tentative budget and tentatively approved certified tax rates.

Next steps and timing: Administrators emphasized the current votes are tentative. The board must hold a Truth in Taxation hearing and adopt final tax rates in August; the FY26 budget will be finalized at that time. Staff committed to monitoring one-time funds and to return with updates on the capital plan, the cost impacts on households, and potential alternatives; they also invited coordinated meetings with municipal leaders already scheduled for June 25 to discuss growth, development and financing options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BESD- Board Meeting - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Box Elder School Board approved a tentative FY26 budget and tentative certified tax rates and advanced a proposal for a $110 million lease‑revenue construction loan, but the actions drew sharply critical public comment and at least one board member's dissent.","taxTitle","Box Elder School District , Utah School Boards, Utah","taxId",65811,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6202135,"Box Elder board votes to eliminate general class fees after lawmakers bar flat fees; district to use TSSA funds to cover most costs",45,4283000,4328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3787695-ac22003ef19febe8e1bffd6a9de5a7b0&start=4283&end=4328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3787695-ac22003ef19febe8e1bffd6a9de5a7b0/thumbnail_4283000.jpg","/articles/6202135/Utah/Box-Elder-board-votes-to-eliminate-general-class-fees-after-lawmakers-bar-flat-fees-district-to-use-TSSA-funds-to-cover-most-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6202135-0fe8573d6537c507a84ed0a1c77c3e35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771038283&Signature=oHLMegCr2EzGD3VhsbI1Tp9ryq1F2MvCRsCJrGrWgSbnTwv2DpM5ZmCFbKLeDvww4~HUSNFHndDDxPyhDMiE8apG0pHUmqF6z35fPFHCGmm4NVDc2RK-l3PWtg4rKht7ydgA~Mo6~WoAmUgYnJnz46XdkLNHUzqD-Nu2omFapgbefjqTFhOmSet8bvo5vOMGLcHwONnk2bjLTbRhL6nBMaem-wVnO1VE0EGWwsyQN-cp0VjfcejBeRTj2SXwSSGsYrLBOOGB1sH8649KAORl-hhrL7ZdBJdVxw-HCVGbZLJ5bLoFZeTRj7ljrTKZceLGc0N67i7rELs31VRAeXrc8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Box Elder School Board on June 11 voted to eliminate the district’s flat general class fee and student-body fee after state lawmakers passed House Bill 415, which prohibits a single general fee and requires itemized fees by class. District administrators told the board that shifting to an itemized schedule would increase administrative burden and that using a portion of the district’s TSSA (Teacher Student Success Act) allocation could preserve students’ access to classes without direct charges. The board approved the new student-fee schedule unanimously.

Why it matters: Board members and parents said the change is intended to remove a financial barrier to Career and Technical Education (CTE), fine-arts and elective pathways and ensure students can enroll in courses regardless of family income. Administrators said the TSSA reallocation would be a near-term fix that keeps in-class fees from blocking student course selection while the district monitors how the program funding holds up over time.

District staff framed two options before the board: keep itemized fees as required by HB415 and collect payments per course, or eliminate class fees by covering the cost from district-directed funds. Keith Meekum, identified in the meeting as the assistant superintendent for secondary schools, explained the new law and the options. He said the district’s administrators proposed eliminating the general class fee and using TSSA funds (a 25% discretionary portion of the district’s allotment) to cover most secondary-level fees; he told the board that administrators estimate the gap is relatively small and can be absorbed without hiring large additional office staff to manage many individual transactions.

Administrators estimated the incremental cost to eliminate class fees for secondary students at roughly $580,000; they said TSSA reallocation would cover most of it and that remaining shortfalls would be handled from the general fund if necessary. Staff noted that fee waivers will still apply for families who qualify under federal guidelines (now aligned with free and reduced-price lunch eligibility) and that extracurricular and some optional activity fees (for example, for instruments or travel) may still be charged. The board asked staff to return with monitoring data next year and to report whether the TSSA dollars are sufficient or whether additional budget adjustments will be required.

Public comment before the vote included written messages and speakers who urged either eliminating fees or demanding greater transparency about how any new tax or budget dollars would be spent. Several parents and residents told the board they supported removing class fees for equity reasons, while others asked for assurances that using TSSA would not reduce supports for special education or other high‑need services. Administrators and the superintendent responded with a plan showing a redistribution of funds and an explanation of how TSSA, EARS (Enhancement for At-Risk Students) and other state-directed funds would be used to protect services while covering fees.

The board’s action: By voice vote the board approved the district fee schedule that removes the flat general class fee and student-body fee and authorizes the district to use TSSA funds to offset the costs. Board members also approved the maximums for activity/extracurricular fees and confirmed fee-waiver procedures would remain in place. Board members asked staff to post the new schedule on school and district web pages and to return with an evaluation before next April’s budget process.","After the Utah Legislature’s House Bill 415 takes effect July 1, the Box Elder School Board approved a new, itemized fee schedule that eliminates district-wide general class fees and a $25 student-body fee, and directed use of Teacher Student Success Act (TSSA) funds to cover most of the resulting cost.","actionData","errors"]

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Box Elder board adopts tentative FY26 budget and tentative tax rates, advances plan for possible $110 million school construction loan after public outcry

Box Elder board votes to eliminate general class fees after lawmakers bar flat fees; district to use TSSA funds to cover most costs