Highlands School Board votes to limit tax hike; 3 new members sworn in

Residents in the Highlands School District should not expect to see a property tax increase for the 2024-25 school year beyond 7.6%.

The school board agreed to keep any tax hike next school within a limit that’s tied to inflation.

The tax rate for residents is 25.13 mills. The owner of a home assessed for taxation purposes at $100,000 pays $2,513.

If the board approves the full 7.6% increase, the millage rate would become 27.03. That would equate to $2,703 on a $100,000 home, which would be an increase of $190.

Budget workshops will happen in the spring and the 2024-2025 budget won’t be passed until June.

Before Monday’s meeting, three newly elected board members were sworn in.

Republican Justin Kipp, 49, represents Region 1; Democrat Autumn Monaghan, 44, represents Region 2; and Democrat Elijah Majocha, 18, represents Region 3. Incumbents Kristie Babinsack and Gene Witt also were sworn in for new terms.

Monaghan is the first Black school director at Highlands.

“I’m honored to work with this group and I feel we all bring something important to the table,” Monaghan said.

A 2023 graduate, Majocha believes he is the youngest elected official in the school district’s history and one of the youngest in the state.

“This is important to show that the possibilities with our youth are endless,” Majocha said. “Anything is possible.”

The board also held its reorganization, where it took five minutes for members to elect Deb Lehew as president.

The vote for vice president didn’t come as easily.

Three board members — Babinsack, Bobbie Neese and Nicole Kocon — were nominated. It took 18 rounds of voting, and nearly an hour, before Kocon won the position.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Kipp said.

“There’s a pretty diverse board here, and anyone who steps into the role would bring talent,” Monaghan said.

The treasurer’s position was won by Ashley Javier.