Early signs point to higher school taxes
Whitnall knows 9.8% levy hike would be unnerving
Greenfield — The Whitnall School District's next property tax levy could approach a double-digit percentage increase.
The tax levy would rise 9.8 percent under a preliminary budget unveiled to the School Board on Monday. The budget takes into account a host of reductions, including six full-time-equivalent teachers, three librarians and a guidance counselor, and other savings.
Officials are also proposing not to fund capital projects, and the School Board has already reinstated student fees, which will generate about $290,000.
Despite the cuts and new revenue, administrators and School Board members say the tough economy and state funding formula continues to make it difficult to fund school operations.
Adjustments likely
The tax levy could rise or fall after several factors become more certain.
For one, the district does not yet know how much state aid it will get. Whitnall last year received about $1.4 million less in state aid, a major contributor to a property tax levy hike, school officials said.
The budget projects another decrease in state aid. The district will get a better idea in July, when the state releases its estimates.
Public backlash?
Board members Monday recognized a 9.8 percent increase would not sit well with many residents, who were vocal in opposition last year to a 5.5 percent levy increase, and hope to bring it down.
"We had a pushback last year at 5½ and it was a struggle to get to the 5½," board member T.J. Anderson said, adding that 9.82 percent hike "is not going to fly and there are ways we can get to less than that."
The district previously held listening sessions with residents, parents and others on the budget and School Board member Bernard Shaw said he wants the district to engage residents over the summer.
The board will likely vote on the preliminary budget May 24, mostly to allow the district to operate after the fiscal year starts July 1.
The annual meeting, which allows residents to weigh in on the budget, will be held in September before the board formally adopts the budget and tax levy in October.
E-mail Newsletter
Your link to the biggest stories in the suburbs delivered Thursday mornings.
Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter
Get the Newsletter!
More from News and Features
- Police Notes: Jan. 31
- News & Notes: Jan. 31
- The little prairie by the schoolhouse (1)
- Franklin School Board candidates discuss age-old facility topic (23)
- Police Report: Jan. 31
- Community Calendar
- Joint meeting will focus on Delphi and civic center redevelopment (2)
- News & Notes: Jan. 24
- Police Report: Jan. 24
- Police Notes: Jan. 24
0 COMMENTS