The Manitowoc Public School District has adopted its 2025 budget and tax levy.
The $102 million budget was approved during a special meeting yesterday evening.
The district says private school vouchers are driving up the tax rates, which means local taxes are jumping to $5.1 million for private schools.
Because of the increase, the district’s property tax rate will be $7.05 per $1,000 of assessed value.
What it means for homeowners is that a home worth $100,000 will pay a total of $705 in school property taxes, with $552 supporting MPSD and the rest going to support area private schools.
While MPSD predicted the numbers, they still say it’s the district’s third-lowest tax rate since 1984 and 65 cents lower than what they projected this year.
The community passed the 2023 five-year operational referendum which was critical to provide the district with needed funds to keep educating students.
Board members are also concerned about the loss of students to area private schools.
Interim Superintendent Lee Thennes says his administration will focus on slowing the process down and figure out why students and families are deciding to enroll elsewhere.
