By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
School board approves reduced 2011-12 budget
Placeholder Image

http://www.facebook.com

BLANCHARDVILLE - The Pecatonica School District's 2011-12 budget is expected to decrease about 11.9 percent, compared to the 2010-11 budget, according to school district officials.

About three school district community members and school board members approved the 2011-12 budget at the district's annual budget meeting Monday, Sept. 27. The budget is under $6.6 million, compared to the almost $7.5 million spending plan last year.

Reasons for the decrease include increased contributions teachers have to pay into their retirements and the school district's change in insurance companies. The teachers now have to pay 15 percent of their premiums, compared to the 5 percent teachers and zero percent support staff had to pay in previous years.

The tax levy, or the amount school district residents will pay towards the budget, is almost $2.3 million, a decrease of about 16.4 percent, or $444,668, from the almost $2.8 million from the 2010-11 school year.

The tax rate decreased from $12.67 for the 2010-11 school year to $10.14 this year, a decrease of about $2.53 per thousand of assessed value, or about 20 percent. The school tax bill on a $100,000 home will be $1,014.

The 2011 year would be the last year the building project, or the remodel of the high school in the 1990s, would be included in the taxes, said superintendent Gary Neis.

School district residents also approved keeping the school board members salaries the same from previous years. School board members will receive $800 for the year and regular members will receive $750, Neis said.