Small increase, tax change mark new School Board budget

MONT VERNON – The School Board is proposing an operating budget that’s up just under two-tenths of 1 percent.

The total operating budget is $4.59 million, an increase of $8,909 over the current year.

In addition, a warrant article for the first year of a new three-year contract with the teaching staff will cost $26,325.

The budget and warrant articles were presented to about 40 residents at a public hearing Feb. 12. A handout prepared for the hearing states that the expected school portion of the tax bill will be $12.56 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, and notes that the tax increase on a $400,000 home would be $540. This year’s school tax rate is $11.21.

Superintendent Mary Jennings said “it is the absence of revenue” that is driving the rise in the budget. She said the district can expect less money from state and federal sources.

The budget will be discussed and voted on at the annual School District Meeting on Friday, March 13, 7 p.m. at the Village School.

Jessie Salisbury can be reached at 654-9704 or jessies@tellink.net.