MONTICELLO - The Monticello School District's 2011-12 budget and its corresponding tax rate are going down compared to last year, according to school district officials.
Seven 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 about $4.56 million, down from the almost $4.61 million spending plan last year.
The tax rate for the 2011-12 school year will drop to $12.53, compared to $12.67 last year, a decrease of 14 cents per thousand of assessed value. The school tax bill on a $100,000 home will be $1,253.
The equalized value of property within the school district declined, Ballin said, but the district was able to offset some of the decline by reducing expenditures.
The district was able to save money by reducing one and a half full-time regular education teaching positions and one full-time special education position. Also saving the district money was a change in how much teachers pay into their retirement fund and for health and dental insurance. The school district paid 100 percent of the retirement fund previously, and now teachers pay about 50 percent, said District Administrator Karen Ballin. Teachers used to pay about 5 percent of premiums for their health and dental and now pay 12 percent.
The tax levy, or the amount school district residents will pay towards the budget, is almost $2.21 million, a decrease of $102,818, or 4.45 percent, from the $2.31 million from the 2010-11 school year.
School district residents also unanimously voted to keep the school board members' annual salaries of $1,1000 for the president, $850 for the clerk and treasurer, $800 for the remaining members, and $125 for the negotiations. The residents also set the 2012 annual meeting for 8 p.m. Sept. 24, 2012.
- Holly Ann Garey
Seven 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 about $4.56 million, down from the almost $4.61 million spending plan last year.
The tax rate for the 2011-12 school year will drop to $12.53, compared to $12.67 last year, a decrease of 14 cents per thousand of assessed value. The school tax bill on a $100,000 home will be $1,253.
The equalized value of property within the school district declined, Ballin said, but the district was able to offset some of the decline by reducing expenditures.
The district was able to save money by reducing one and a half full-time regular education teaching positions and one full-time special education position. Also saving the district money was a change in how much teachers pay into their retirement fund and for health and dental insurance. The school district paid 100 percent of the retirement fund previously, and now teachers pay about 50 percent, said District Administrator Karen Ballin. Teachers used to pay about 5 percent of premiums for their health and dental and now pay 12 percent.
The tax levy, or the amount school district residents will pay towards the budget, is almost $2.21 million, a decrease of $102,818, or 4.45 percent, from the $2.31 million from the 2010-11 school year.
School district residents also unanimously voted to keep the school board members' annual salaries of $1,1000 for the president, $850 for the clerk and treasurer, $800 for the remaining members, and $125 for the negotiations. The residents also set the 2012 annual meeting for 8 p.m. Sept. 24, 2012.
- Holly Ann Garey