USD 257 was hit by a one-two punch of bad budget news for the coming school year.
Enrollment numbers are likely to decrease, and the county’s property valuation dropped, all of which will translate to higher tax rates to meet essentially the same budget needs as last year.
Superintendent Stacey Fager warned board members at Monday night’s meeting that the district’s tax rate will increase to 17.3 mills, up from last year’s rate of 15.4.
“It’s a double whammy,” Fager said.
He expects fewer students this year, and building principals each said they are still trying to track down students who have not yet enrolled. The district offered enrollment last week, with 901 students planning to attend in-person classes and 127 planning to participate in remote learning from home.
In 2018, the district had 1,150 students. In 2019, enrollment was 1,142. For budget purposes, Fager submitted the 2018 enrollment numbers, as allowed by the state.
The district also will lose about $602,000 from the decreased county valuation, Fager said.
Last year’s valuation of about $54.8 million dropped to about $53 million this year.
The valuation is an estimate of the value of property in the county and is used to determine tax rates, also referred to as the mill levy. A higher valuation means each mill raises more money. The lower valuation was attributed to lower values for oil and gas reserves, and utilities.
The district held the line on expenditures, planning to have about $9.9 million in its general fund, which is just a little higher than last year. The local option budget should raise another $3.1 million, which is also slightly higher than last year.
The new schools project also will bring slightly higher tax rates because of the decreased valuation. The original estimates, as proposed to taxpayers who approved the projects, set high expectations for tax collections at about 22 mills. This year’s rate of 21.72 will be just under that.
A budget hearing is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 24.
THE BOARD continues to plan for the next school year, with adjustments for the coronavirus pandemic.
The board gave official approval to a plan to start classes on Aug. 24, and allow students who are learning remotely to participate in sports and activities. Not all districts allow that.
Administrators continue to develop a plan for remote learning. Fager said they’re still considering whether to have all teachers develop a plan for remote learners who would otherwise be in their class, or designate a number of teachers to teach the online classes.
