District 145 Waverly Public schools discuss 2026-27 budget as taxpayers raise questions
WAVERLY, Neb. (KLKN) – District 145 for Waverly Public Schools held its 2026-27 budget hearing on Tuesday night to explain their plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
They asked taxpayers to pay more into their general fund and special buildings fund, while requesting less for their school bonds fund.
Those in attendance were prepared with a variety of questions from concerns over teacher salary increases to criticism over the district’s previous spending decisions.
One woman speaking up about receiving only about 3 raises during her 40-year career.
Superintendent Corey Worrell responded to the concerns by explaining the district’s goal of staying competitive and retaining competent staff.
A hot topic of the evening was property taxes.
The school board responding to inquiries whenever possible, but many times promising speakers a call back with more information.
“In property taxes, we’re looking at asking for a little over 28 million dollars,” said Worrell.
An amount that is about 3 million more than last year.
“I’d like to have you consider maybe someplace where you cut a little bit and hold that growth down,” said one audience member.
“The other thing is that it’s real obvious in Waverly, it’s grown exponentially over the last few years,” said another man in attendance.
Dave Nielsen also spoke up on Tuesday night.
With a long history in Waverly, his dad also served on the school board himself.
When asked about the overall amount that the board asked for, he had this to say.
“I’m not surprised by it. I understand there are needs in here. You know I think everybody always hates to pay more taxes and a lot of what we’re paying has been caused by valuation increases, which we don’t have a lot of control over,” said Nielsen.
He adds that he hopes the board considers the people of the district, saying that his own valuation grew by 14 thousand dollars last year, and by 17 thousand dollars this year.
His advice to the board?
“I mean it is to give the kids the best opportunity in education they can. I’m not going to deny that. Has mistakes been made on kind of the business end or efficiency of spending money? I believe so,” said Nielsen.
Worrell says he’s happy to continue the discussion.
“I appreciate people coming out and I appreciate them asking questions and that’s really what they need to do,” he said.
The next joint hearing will be on Sept. 17 at 6:30pm.
