From the December 17th Hastings School Board meeting there was a presentation on Truth and Taxation. Director of 
Finance and Operation, Jennifer Seubert delivered the presentation on taxes payable in 2026. Looking at the levies, Seubert noted that change in the tax levy does not determine change in the budget. Example, an increase in school taxes does not always correlate to an equal increase in budget.
The proposed payable 2026 tax levy is $334,199 less than the previous year. Reason for the changes are due to initial levies are based on estimates. And in the following years, because of data, amounts are updated and levies are retroactively adjusted.
In the report, Seubert also pointed out that Hastings has a tax based increase of 1.61% and referendum market value increase of 2.17%. This means that there is a property value increase within the Hastings district.
From the school board, KDWA connected with Director and Treasurer Mark Zuzek for more insight into school finance. Director Zuzek speaks into the 2026 levy decrease, as wall as explains how levy money is processed throughout the district.
The full Truth and Taxation report on the ISD 200 website.
For the full broadcast story, listen to the sound bite: