By Sarah DeMaranville
Geneseo Current
The Geneseo Community Unit School District #228 Board of Education will consider a tentative 2026 property tax levy that increases the district's request by more than $1.1 million while projecting a slight drop in the overall tax rate, according to board packet materials for the October 8 meeting.
The proposed levy requests $25.5 million, an increase of $1,111,317 — or 5.46% — over last year's extension, excluding bond debt. The request maxes out the legal maximum tax rate in every fund that has one, with the exception of the lease levy.
But because local property values continue to climb, the district projects the overall school tax rate will actually fall 3.37%, from 4.4441 to 4.3970. The district's equalized assessed value is estimated at $580 million, up 5.56% from last year, continuing a run of strong growth that has seen EAV rise more than 30% since 2021.
For the owner of a $307,536 home, the district estimates annual school taxes of $4,507.43 — an increase of $237.41 over last year.
Because the increase exceeds 5%, the district must hold a Truth in Taxation hearing in December. The EAV figure remains an estimate pending final equalization. Tentative levy approval is expected in November.
The packet also shows the district's operating fund reserves at $8.76 million, well below the state threshold that would trigger a mandatory reserve-reduction plan.
Sales tax revenue climbs, spending on pace
The district's 1% sales tax brought in $1.77 million in fiscal year 2026, up 16% from the prior year, and the new fiscal year is off to a record start with August and September each topping $171,000.
First-quarter spending sits at 23% of the $47.9 million budget — roughly on pace — though the tort fund has already spent 42% of its budget. October expenditures totaled $3.23 million, up from $2.99 million in October 2025. The district ended September with $27.7 million in cash across all funds, or 219 days of cash on hand.
Safety, staffing and coming dates
Superintendent Dr. Laura Delgado's report notes the district again earned high marks on its annual safety walkthroughs conducted by the Regional Office of Education and the local fire marshal, and completed Code Red and Blue drills in coordination with school resource officers and law enforcement.
The board will act on six hires, including a long-term substitute teacher for Millikin starting in January and a district-wide homebound tutor. Two resignations were accepted, and two long-range retirements were announced: GMS physical education teacher Todd Ehlert at the end of the 2030-31 school year and GMS family and consumer science teacher Anne Strohm at the end of 2029-30.
Parent-teacher conferences are set for October 15, with early dismissal, and October 16, when there will be no student attendance. There is also no school on Election Day, November 3. Geneseo High School's fall play, Parents Just Don't Understand, runs October 23–25 with tickets sold at the door.
Bills and agreements
Board bills totaling $1.11 million include $377,000 in special education tuition — $262,000 of it to the Henry-Stark special education cooperative — along with $17,500 for the Hudl athletic department package and $12,500 for Hammond-Henry strength training. Capital project bills include an $85,721 payment toward the high school bathroom renovation.
The board will also consider renewing its $350 annual business membership with the Geneseo Community Center, which gives all district employees 10% off memberships. The current agreement expires October 30.
The Geneseo Community Unit School District #228 Board of Education will meet on October 8 at 5:30pm at the unit office. See the full meeting agenda and packet here.