DARLINGTON - Darlington Community School District residents could see a 1.86 percent property tax rate increase next year.
The total budget of $10.9 million for the 2010-11 school year is an increase of 4.27 percent from the 2009-10 budget of $10.46 million.
The district passed its budget at its annual meeting Monday.
The total amount needed to be collected in taxes is $3.25 million, an increase of about $60,000 from the 2009-10 budget of $3.19 million, or about 1.86 percent.
The levied amount results in a tax rate of $10.69 per $1,000 of property value. Last year, the tax rate was $10.49 per $1,000 of property value.
The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $1,069 in school taxes, or about $20 more than last year.
The owner of a $300,000 farm would pay $3,207 in school taxes.
Denise Wellnitz, district administrator, said decreases in grant revenue and falling enrollment are creating the greatest increase in taxes.
"We are attempting a 4K program this year," she said. "Fifty-eight 4K students will bring our enrollment to 775."
Without the 4K program, Darlington's 2010-11 enrollment would have been below that of last year, she said.Darlington school is using $114,000 from its fund balance to start the 4K program.
Wellnitz said the district based its budget on the expectation that equalized aid form the state will not go up from last year.
Funding for special education is also down cross the state, she added.
The total budget of $10.9 million for the 2010-11 school year is an increase of 4.27 percent from the 2009-10 budget of $10.46 million.
The district passed its budget at its annual meeting Monday.
The total amount needed to be collected in taxes is $3.25 million, an increase of about $60,000 from the 2009-10 budget of $3.19 million, or about 1.86 percent.
The levied amount results in a tax rate of $10.69 per $1,000 of property value. Last year, the tax rate was $10.49 per $1,000 of property value.
The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $1,069 in school taxes, or about $20 more than last year.
The owner of a $300,000 farm would pay $3,207 in school taxes.
Denise Wellnitz, district administrator, said decreases in grant revenue and falling enrollment are creating the greatest increase in taxes.
"We are attempting a 4K program this year," she said. "Fifty-eight 4K students will bring our enrollment to 775."
Without the 4K program, Darlington's 2010-11 enrollment would have been below that of last year, she said.Darlington school is using $114,000 from its fund balance to start the 4K program.
Wellnitz said the district based its budget on the expectation that equalized aid form the state will not go up from last year.
Funding for special education is also down cross the state, she added.