MONROE - A commitment to spending money wisely was the theme Monday as the Monroe school board approved a tax levy of $11.5 million for the 2008-2009 school year.
There were no surprises and no questions as district Business Administrator Ron Olson presented budget numbers - largely the same as have been presented over the past few months.
The total levy of $11,512,145 represents a decrease of 1.13 percent from the 2007-2008 levy of $11,644,200.
School district revenues are budgeted to increase 1.61 percent, from about $29.8 million in 2007-2008 to just more than $30 million in 2008-2009.
Expenditures are expected to increase 2.94 percent, from $27.3 million last year to $30 million this year. Those numbers include hiring an additional school psychologist and LMC director, increasing money for professional development and the Gifted and Talented program, all areas identified as being high priorities for the district.
When considering increases in salaries and fuel costs, the relatively low increase in spending shows the commitment the school board, administration and staff have to saving money, Olson said.
District Administrator Larry Brown said the past year shows the cooperative efforts of the school board and teaching staff to keep spending in check and be "good stewards of the money entrusted to us." The school ended the 2007-2008 6.45 percent under budget, saving about $1.9 million in expenditures.
"We're spending money wisely, and also making sure our kids get a quality education," Brown said.
Olson also said the district will continue to spend less than budgeted each year.
"It's not something we can accomplish every year," he said, but the district will continue "to make a commitment to come in somewhere under budget."
The school tax rate will be $11.45, down from last year's rate of $12.04. That translates to a bill of $1,717 in school taxes for the owner of a $150,000 house. The owner of a $300,00 farm would pay about $4,580 in school taxes.
Olson cautioned numbers were based on the assumption property valuations in the county increased by 4 percent. However, it appears the district's valuation actually only increased 1.96 percent. Other factors still unknown are actual aid amounts and the amount support staff will earn under a contract being negotiated.
The number of students enrolled also is slightly less than anticipated, but will not change the tax levy, Olson said. The district anticipated not using $600,000 of additional money over the state revenue caps as allowed by the April 2007 referendum. Because the number of students affects state aid revenues, the district will be using a little more of its referendum authority. It still will leave unused $520,000 of the $1.5 million in additional money allowed by the referendum.
The audience consisted of several school principals and former school board member John Mulhall. No members of the general public attended.
The school board will finalize the tax levy and tax rate at its meeting Monday, Oct. 27.
There were no surprises and no questions as district Business Administrator Ron Olson presented budget numbers - largely the same as have been presented over the past few months.
The total levy of $11,512,145 represents a decrease of 1.13 percent from the 2007-2008 levy of $11,644,200.
School district revenues are budgeted to increase 1.61 percent, from about $29.8 million in 2007-2008 to just more than $30 million in 2008-2009.
Expenditures are expected to increase 2.94 percent, from $27.3 million last year to $30 million this year. Those numbers include hiring an additional school psychologist and LMC director, increasing money for professional development and the Gifted and Talented program, all areas identified as being high priorities for the district.
When considering increases in salaries and fuel costs, the relatively low increase in spending shows the commitment the school board, administration and staff have to saving money, Olson said.
District Administrator Larry Brown said the past year shows the cooperative efforts of the school board and teaching staff to keep spending in check and be "good stewards of the money entrusted to us." The school ended the 2007-2008 6.45 percent under budget, saving about $1.9 million in expenditures.
"We're spending money wisely, and also making sure our kids get a quality education," Brown said.
Olson also said the district will continue to spend less than budgeted each year.
"It's not something we can accomplish every year," he said, but the district will continue "to make a commitment to come in somewhere under budget."
The school tax rate will be $11.45, down from last year's rate of $12.04. That translates to a bill of $1,717 in school taxes for the owner of a $150,000 house. The owner of a $300,00 farm would pay about $4,580 in school taxes.
Olson cautioned numbers were based on the assumption property valuations in the county increased by 4 percent. However, it appears the district's valuation actually only increased 1.96 percent. Other factors still unknown are actual aid amounts and the amount support staff will earn under a contract being negotiated.
The number of students enrolled also is slightly less than anticipated, but will not change the tax levy, Olson said. The district anticipated not using $600,000 of additional money over the state revenue caps as allowed by the April 2007 referendum. Because the number of students affects state aid revenues, the district will be using a little more of its referendum authority. It still will leave unused $520,000 of the $1.5 million in additional money allowed by the referendum.
The audience consisted of several school principals and former school board member John Mulhall. No members of the general public attended.
The school board will finalize the tax levy and tax rate at its meeting Monday, Oct. 27.