BLANCHARDVILLE - The Pecatonica school district will ask voters in a referendum April 1 to pay an additional $350,000 in property taxes over what the state allows.
The recurring referendum will seek an additional $175,000 for each of the next two years. The money will allow the district to maintain its current programs, as well as complete roof maintenance and technology updates.
"There's a clear deficit," District Administrator David Westhoff said.
The district estimates it will be short almost $241,000 over the next two years to just maintain current programs. A deficit of $80,000 is projected for the current school year, largely due to an increase in salary and benefits.
That does not include an estimated $106,000 needed for roof maintenance at both the high school and elementary school and $132,000 for technology updates over the next two years. These technology updates include hardware, software and networking improvements as part of the district's five-year plan, Westhoff said.
Because it is a recurring referendum, the $175,000 levied in the first year will become part of the "permanent levy foundation," Westhoff said. In the second year, an additional $175,000 will be added to the tax levy, resulting in an additional $350,000 levied each year at the end of the two-year referendum period.
The school board voted unanimously Monday to put the recurring referendum to voters. Board member Amy Carr was absent.
The board decided on an April referendum instead of waiting until November for timing reasons. If approved, the district can begin working on roof repairs and computer upgrades this summer. Also, Westhoff said, waiting for the November election gives the district only a few days to certify the results in time to have municipalities levy the amount.
The district last held a referendum in 2004. At that time, voters approved a recurring referendum adding $150,000 for two years by a 444-330 margin.
Westhoff said the board is considering public informational meetings, in addition to using print and the district's Web site to inform voters why the district needs the additional money.
The next regular school board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 in the high school library/media center.
The recurring referendum will seek an additional $175,000 for each of the next two years. The money will allow the district to maintain its current programs, as well as complete roof maintenance and technology updates.
"There's a clear deficit," District Administrator David Westhoff said.
The district estimates it will be short almost $241,000 over the next two years to just maintain current programs. A deficit of $80,000 is projected for the current school year, largely due to an increase in salary and benefits.
That does not include an estimated $106,000 needed for roof maintenance at both the high school and elementary school and $132,000 for technology updates over the next two years. These technology updates include hardware, software and networking improvements as part of the district's five-year plan, Westhoff said.
Because it is a recurring referendum, the $175,000 levied in the first year will become part of the "permanent levy foundation," Westhoff said. In the second year, an additional $175,000 will be added to the tax levy, resulting in an additional $350,000 levied each year at the end of the two-year referendum period.
The school board voted unanimously Monday to put the recurring referendum to voters. Board member Amy Carr was absent.
The board decided on an April referendum instead of waiting until November for timing reasons. If approved, the district can begin working on roof repairs and computer upgrades this summer. Also, Westhoff said, waiting for the November election gives the district only a few days to certify the results in time to have municipalities levy the amount.
The district last held a referendum in 2004. At that time, voters approved a recurring referendum adding $150,000 for two years by a 444-330 margin.
Westhoff said the board is considering public informational meetings, in addition to using print and the district's Web site to inform voters why the district needs the additional money.
The next regular school board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 in the high school library/media center.