The Monroe County School Board meeting on July 22, 2025, opened with a moment of silence honoring John Welsh, a dedicated community member who served for 35 years. This tribute set a respectful tone for the evening as the board moved swiftly through its agenda.

A significant focus of the meeting was the upcoming budget process for the 2025-2026 school year. Superintendent Tierney outlined the schedule for budget discussions, emphasizing the importance of community engagement throughout the process. The board is set to hold four consecutive meetings to address various aspects of the budget, with the first step being the approval of advertisements related to the budget.

Key figures were presented, including a proposed total millage rate of 2.947 for the upcoming year. This includes a required local effort of 1.049 and a capital outlay rate of 0.6, which is expected to generate approximately $34 million. The board also discussed the implications of a property tax levy increase, which is projected to rise by 2.66%, amounting to $174 million.

In addition to budget discussions, the board approved the consent agenda, which included routine items deemed non-controversial. However, one notable change was the removal of the infrastructure project manager position due to a recent resignation.

As the meeting concluded, the board encouraged community members to participate in future discussions, reinforcing the importance of transparency and collaboration in the budgeting process. The next steps will involve detailed reviews of the proposed budget in the upcoming meetings, with the board inviting questions and input from the public.