Byron levy fails, cuts expected

Cuts are expected to come to the Byron School District, and some of them could be drastic, after a $800 per pupil local levy ballot measure failed on a 3,159 to 2,283 vote.
“The Byron Public School District Operating Referendum did not pass on November 5,” Superintendent Mike Neubeck wrote in a press release. “We truly appreciate our community for taking the time to attend meetings, read informational materials, and ask questions. Even though the referendum did not pass, these discussions surfaced valuable insights from our community members, and we’re committed to addressing these concerns and working through challenges together.”
In a statement, Neubeck said the District “heard concerns about financial transparency and are taking steps to address them.”
“The recent audit has given us a clearer financial picture, and we are using this information as we move forward with budget reductions,” Neubeck said. “To ensure transparency and accountability, we will provide regular updates on our financial position so the community has clear insight into our fiscal planning.”
As the District continues to refine its budget, Neubeck said “we’ll continue collaborating with our staff and community advisory committees and actively seek input from our broader community. Our community’s engagement and feedback are essential as we explore creative solutions and make necessary adjustments.”
“While this outcome means we will need to make significant adjustments, our main priority is strengthening our finances and meeting the needs of our students and staff,” Neubeck wrote. “This past spring and summer, we implemented approximately $1.5 million in reductions for the 2024-25 school year, and we are working closely with our interim finance director to ensure a transparent and accurate budget for this year. These measures, along with careful forecasting of expenditures and revenues for the 2025-26 school year, will guide the additional reductions needed in the next budget cycle.”
Newly elected board member Alisha Eiken said she is “saddened that our educators, school staff, and kids will suffer the collateral damage of our district’s failure of leadership.”
“The community has sent a clear message: they do not trust our current leadership to manage another penny of their tax dollars,” Eiken said. “Our priorities need to be returning to financial stability and repairing trust within our community. I will strive to provide both radical transparency with our community and diligent oversight of our superintendent. Our kids, our community, and our tax payers deserve a school district that is vibrant, thriving, and financially stable. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but I know we can dig out of this and maintain our exemplary school district.”
No other newly elected board members responded to a request for comment for this story.
Neubeck, in his statement, said the District remains “committed to strengthening the district’s financial stability while prioritizing the well-being of our students, staff, families, and the entire community. This work is already underway, and we are confident that with continued support and input from our community, we can build a sustainable path forward for Byron Public Schools.”
School Board Election Results
In the Byron School Board race, Eiken was the leading vote getter earning 20.09% of the vote.
Lisa Jessen came in second with 19.23%, Nadia Poluhina received 17.43% and Kelli J. Crary received 17.04% according to the unofficial results, earning the final spot on the School Board.
Britton Avant, and James-Duke D. Dieterle were the two candidates who did not get a spot on the School Board.
“I am so grateful to the Byron School District voters for trusting me to work on behalf of them and all of our kids,” Eiken said. “I am ready to get to work to ensure ALL kids feel safe and supported while at school and in our community.”