The USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden school board voted Wednesday to notify Riley County that it intends to exceed the revenue-neutral property tax rate for the 2027 fiscal year budget while also approving nearly $1 million in funding to keep after-school programs affordable following the loss of a federal grant.
The board unanimously approved certifying its intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, a required procedural step before adopting a budget that would generate more property tax revenue than the previous year. District officials stressed that rising operating costs and statutory funding requirements make the revenue-neutral rate impractical for school districts.
Board members said adopting the revenue-neutral rate would create an immediate $2.6 million revenue shortfall before accounting for inflation, insurance costs and employee wages.
