Highlands Schools Keep Taxes Steady Despite Budget Gap

The Highlands School District plans to keep its property tax rate unchanged for a fourth straight year, even though the upcoming budget shows a $4 million shortfall. Finance Director Paul Paradise notes that only eight districts in the county have avoided tax hikes over the past three years, and Highlands is among them. The board will decide on a provisional budget of $58. 5 million next Monday, keeping the rate at 25. 13 mills. A homeowner with a median‑valued property of $123, 500 would pay roughly $3, 103 in taxes, the same as last year. Each mill of tax brings in about $1. 03 million for the district, according to Paradise. Projected revenues total $54. 6 million against expenses of $58. 5 million, a gap that the district will fill from its reserve funds.

Operating costs are expected to rise 1. 2% from this year’s $54 million, a change Paradise describes as reasonable. Salaries and benefits will account for about two‑thirds of expenses, rising to $37 million—$2 million more than last year. The cost per student for the 1, 952 pupils is estimated at $27, 775. Transportation, construction services and equipment costs are also higher than last year’s figures. The board announced $1. 6 million for capital projects, including new turf at Golden Rams Stadium and district‑wide paving. Revenue streams remain stable: $22. 3 million from local sources, $30. 9 million from the state and $1. 3 million in federal funds. The final budget will be approved at the June 15 meeting.

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