The Richmond R-XVI Board of Education approved a tax levy and budget plan expected to generate more than $7.3 million in local property tax revenue for the 2025-26 school year, reflecting a $490,941 increase from the prior year. Assessed valuation in the district rose 6.7% to $163,861,499, compared to $153,517,816 in 202425. That gain came partly from $1,884,426 in new construction and improvements. The approved levy of $4.4643 per $100 valuation is divided into $3.6643 for the incidental fund and $0.80 for capital projects. Superintendent Dr. Bryan Copple noted the district has traditionally placed 83.5 cents of the levy in the capital projects fund but will move 80 cents there this year to make more money available in the general fund. “Ever since I’ve been here, we’ve put 83 and a half cents in fund four every year,” stated Copple. “This year, we’re going to put 80 cents in there to free up just a little bit more money for our general fund that’ll keep fund four still at a…