(KNZA)---A 2026-27 budget with total expenditures of about 13 million dollars and a 4.4 mill increase in the property tax levy is proposed by the Board of Education for the Atchison County Community Schools of USD 377.

The board approved the budget for publication at its August 12th meeting.

The proposed tax rate is about 48.2 mills, which is above the revenue neutral tax rate of 43.4 mills. The district expects to collect nearly 4.2 million dollars in local tax revenue.

The budget includes a 20-mill general fund levy set by the state, about 20.2 mills for the supplemental general fund and eight mills for capital outlay.

The supplemental general fund levy is increasing 2.4 mills from last year, while the capital outlay levy is increasing two mills. The board approved the capital outlay increase in May to help fund replacement of the district's track facility.

The board will consider adopting the budget following a public hearing at its September 9th meeting.

A second hearing will also be held on the district's intent to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate.

Meanwhile, as the board plans for the hearing, students this week returned to class for the new school year.

The first day of the fall semester was Wednesday.