Lebanon R-3 Board to Set 2026 Tax Rate, Consider High School Construction Change Order Tuesday

LEBANON, Mo. — The Lebanon R-3 Board of Education will meet Tuesday evening with the district’s 2026 property tax rate, an $81,739 change order for the Lebanon High School construction project, and several reports on the upcoming school year among the items on the agenda.

The regular meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, in the Central Office Board Room, 224 W. Commercial St. The open meeting will also be available virtually through a link provided in BoardDocs.

A public forum will be held during the meeting, including the district’s annual 2026 Tax Rate Hearing, which gives residents an opportunity to speak before the Board sets the property tax rate.

2026 Property Tax Rate

Following the public hearing, the Board is scheduled to vote on a proposed total property tax rate of $4.4650 per $100 of assessed valuation, the same total rate as 2025.

The administration is recommending an operating levy of $3.4987 and a debt service levy of $0.9663.

The district’s total assessed valuation is listed at approximately $430.18 million.

According to the agenda, the proposed debt service rate is $0.4841 below the $1.4504 ceiling established by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. The proposed operating rate would be set at the state-established ceiling.

The total $4.4650 levy would include $2.6987 for the incidental fund, $0.8000 for the teachers fund and $0.9663 for debt service.

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Lebanon High School Construction

The Board will also consider Change Order No. 5 for the Lebanon High School construction project at a cost of $81,739.

The expense is budgeted and would be paid through the project contingency.

Kristi Beattie with SAPP Design Architects, Jacob Johnson with Branco Enterprises and district officials are scheduled to present the change order before the Board votes.

Budget Update

Board members will be asked to accept the district’s 2026-27 Budget Letter.

The Board approved the annual budget prior to June 30. The budget letter provides additional information regarding significant changes from the previous year’s budget.

College Partnerships for Employees and Students

Several agreements are included on the consent agenda.

An agreement with Missouri Baptist University would provide eligible Lebanon R-3 employees with discounted tuition for select undergraduate, graduate and doctoral education programs.

A separate agreement with Grand Canyon University would provide eligible students, employees, family members and other district stakeholders access to scholarships, tuition discounts and professional development opportunities. The agreement carries no cost to the district.

The Board will also consider continuing its partnership with Drury University’s School of Education, allowing teacher candidates to complete field experiences and student teaching placements within Lebanon R-3.Click Ad To Visit Sponsor

Special Education, Assessments and Other Consent Items

The consent agenda also includes approval of the district’s 2026-27 Assessment Plan, which establishes what assessments will be administered at each grade level and when they will be given.

Board members will consider an updated Special Education Local Compliance Plan to maintain compliance with state and federal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Other consent items include employee residency waivers, the July financial report, minutes from the July 13 meeting and the declaration of property that is no longer needed by the district as surplus.

District Communications Plan

Communications Director Sadie Chisum will present the district’s 2026-27 Communications Plan, which focuses on transparency, community engagement and providing families with information through multiple platforms.

The district plans to continue using social media, newsletters, text messages, traditional media, video, its website, mobile app and district publications.

According to the district, its 2025-26 stakeholder survey found text messages, social media and emailed newsletters were the community’s preferred methods of receiving district information.

Plans for the upcoming year also include continued ADA accessibility improvements, enhancements to the district website and mobile app, additional family resources and self-service tools, and continued evaluation of communication efforts.

Culture, Attendance and Summer School

The Board will receive several additional reports during Tuesday’s meeting.

Chisum and Mrs. Winfrey will present an update on the district’s CSIP 2.1.1 Positive Culture & Climate initiative, including efforts to improve communication and support for students, employees and families.

Summer School Coordinator Veronica Vergara will provide a summary of the district’s 2026 Summer Experience program.

Dr. Jeremy Brownfield and Dr. Holly Schrage will also present student and staff attendance data from the 2025-26 school year.

Community Recognition

The district plans to recognize community organizations and volunteers who helped prepare students and schools for the new year.

That includes those involved with the Back to School Fair, which provides students with school supplies, food, haircuts, vision checks, hygiene products and other resources through donations and community partnerships.

The district will also recognize local churches that participated in Love Lebanon, an outreach effort that helped teachers set up classrooms and assisted with cleaning and preparing school campuses.

Lebanon R-3’s Transportation Department will also be recognized for its school bus inspection results. According to the district, Lebanon R-3 has earned the Missouri State Highway Patrol Total Fleet Excellence Award for at least 15 consecutive years, an honor given to districts achieving a fleet inspection approval rating of 90% or higher.

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Back to School Dates

Superintendent Dr. David Schmitz is scheduled to provide an update on preparations for the 2026-27 school year.

The district’s New Teacher Institute runs Aug. 11-13, followed by the All Staff Convocation on Aug. 21.

The first day of school is Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Following the open portion of Tuesday’s meeting, the Board is scheduled to enter closed session for legal and personnel matters.

Public comments are allowed during the designated public forum. Under Board policy, comments during the regular public comment period are limited to items appearing on the posted agenda. A separate opportunity for public input will be provided as part of the tax rate hearing.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Lebanon R-3 Central Office, 224 W. Commercial St.

Full agenda and meeting information:https://go.boarddocs.com/mo/lr3sd/Board.nsf/Public