The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education held the public hearing for the proposed fiscal year (FY) 2026 property tax rate, renewed annual agreements and more during Thursday night’s meeting. The meeting opened with the public hearing on the proposed property tax levy rate, which will be seeing an increase of around 13 cents from $9.84135 to $9.97599 per $1,000 of assessed taxable valuation. Following the public hearing, two CCSD community members addressed the board for public forum, regarding the resignation of High School Principal Kourtney Abbotts and questioning why student enrollment is declining to due students leaving the district to attend other schools. Eight donations were approved by the board, such as Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation for a book cart of bilingual books for K-5th grade students. Nine annual agreements were renewed for FFA leases, student teaching and more. The district and Carroll Education Association (CEA) negotiated teachers’ salaries and agreed upon base pay of $50,000 and remaining teachers to have salary increases of at least $1,375, using an index sheet to adjust ten percent for educational credentials and five percent for years of experience. Revisions for CEA staff were also made regarding the use of personal leave and leave requests. Board members revised the recommendation of two additional days at the end of the school year, and will instead make May 30 a full day and the last day of school. The district has approved to enter a 28E agreement with the City of Carroll for a school resource officer. The meeting ended with budget reports, approving of the public hearings for FY26 budget and amendment for FY25 budget scheduled for April 21 starting at 6:30 p.m., and review and accept the FY24 audit. Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more on these topics in upcoming newscasts.
