Certification of the Levy - October 28, 2009

At tonight's Board of Education meeting the revised Budget was briefly discussed and the 2009-2010 Tax Levy of 3.9% was Certified with a vote of 4-1.

Roll Call Vote:

Linda Witkowski Yes
Dave Szychlinski  Yes
Debbie Larson  Yes
Janet Evans  No
Jeff Traylor  Yes
Judy Bialk  Excused
David Works  Excused

Yes, it's true.  Our levy this year is much lower than many neighboring districts. Personally, I don't see any point in comparing our levy to any other district.  Just as I don't see any point comparing how many residents show up at an annual meeting.  Our spending per pupil is different than neighboring districts.  Our state aid is different.  Our budget is different.  The needs of our citizens are different.  Our taxes are our own issue.

I believe the Board should have requested the Finance Committee to direct the administration to look deeper into possible budget reductions.  I believe the District should be proactive in reducing spending. I did not come on to the Board until the end of April 2009.  When it is suggested that the Board did not have ideas to give to the administration, or that it was too late when the budget was presented in June, that's not good enough for me. It's not the Board's job to have the ideas. The Board doesn't work with the daily operations and the Board is reminded they should not meddle in those operations; that they are the policy makers. The budget is not something to be worked on for half of the year.  The budget is something that must be worked on daily and thought about each and every time an expense is being made.

The Board works as one.  "We" certified the tax levy of 3.9%.  But I will always state why "I" voted as I chose to vote. 

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Money
 

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