Overview

On June 30, 2025, the Lakota Board of Education passed a Resolution of Intent to limit the net increase of collections to 2.66 mills. This was followed on July 21 by a Resolution of Intent to delay collection until calendar year 2029. 

The Board’s commitment to limiting the net increase to 2.66 mills means that for every $100,000 of auditor-appraised property value, the net increase beginning in 2029 will be:

For those over 65 and older or disabled, the net increase would be $68.71/year if total income is under $38,600/year.

• The Master Facilities Plan is implemented, addressing building needs district-wide at every grade level - benefitting all students.
• Expansions to both high schools and junior schools (Plains Junior and East Freshman) would be completed by the start of the 2028-2029 school year, also alleviating space in 3-5 schools. The four new K-5 schools would be completed by the start of the 2029-2030 school year.
• New grade configuration to lower class size, decrease building transitions and accommodate growing enrollment: Pre-K | K-5 | 6-8 | 9-12
• Lakota Local Schools would be able to:
  Address growing enrollment, overcrowding and large class sizes;
  • Enhance educational programming for all students; 
  • Increase spaces available for community use; and
  • Operate more efficiently and avoid a higher operating levy forecasted for Nov. 2028 just to maintain current buildings and programs.

• Increased class sizes due to overcrowding and growing enrollment.
• Limited resources to improve or increase community spaces.
• A growing list of maintenance needs with inadequate funding, forcing band-aid fixes to aging facilities.
• Possible elimination of learning spaces dedicated to subjects like art, music and technology, as well as staff work rooms and break rooms, especially at the K-6 schools, to accommodate growing enrollment and core subject classrooms.
• Space limitations may force the elimination of all-day kindergarten, reverting back to the half-day only model.
• Lakota would continue planning for the forecasted operating and permanent improvement levy in Nov. 2028. This is calculated at a net increase of 3.12 mills or $109/year, which is higher than the net 2.66 mill cap the Board has promised with the passage of the Nov. 2025 ballot issue.