Thursday, July 22, 2010

Expected budget increase less than 2 mills for USD 340

by Clarke Davis   

The Jefferson West USD 340 school budget for next year will require a local tax increase of less than 2 mills, reports Scott Myers, superintendent.

The budget hearing is set for the Aug. 9 meeting. Myers was working on the budget this week and said he had a board consensus to publish if he could hold any increase within a 2- to 3-mill limit.

“It looks like 1.9 mills, or less than 2, at this point,” Myers said.

Last year’s local option budget was close to 19 mills plus another 4 mills for the capital outlay fund.

The levy for bond and interest is between 7 and 8 mills and the bonds for the high school will be paid off in September 2012.

The school board discussed the possibility of putting together another bond issue that would begin when the current one expires. Myers was asked to find out how much could be generated on a 5-year bond proposal at the present tax levy.

The superintendent said no details of what this bond issue would supply have been worked out, but that it is the assumption that the money would be used to upgrade the buildings and technology.

“The buildings are growing older,” he said. “The high school is 15 years old now.”

Board member Jeff Van Petten was late getting to the board because he stopped to help someone change a flat tire. His vote was needed to elect a president.

This was the reorganizational meeting for the board’s fiscal year and it got off with a deadlock over who would be the president.

Dreana McClurg and Frank Sayles were nominated for the presidency and the board split 3-3 on both votes. The nominations were resubmitted when Van Petten arrived and McClurg edged out Sayles on a 4-3 vote.

Sayles was elected vice president.

The board meetings and times will remain at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month. The location will move, however, from the district office to the three attendance centers from time to time.

Estimates for building another bus barn will be taken. Myers will obtain costs for constructing a 30-by-30-foot structure, 30-by-60, and 60-by-60. Costs will also include a finished interior or having district staff do the work.

The board approved a 5-cent increase in lunch prices but refused, on a 2-5 vote, to increase textbook rental fees by $10. The fee will remain at $65.

A bid of $59,536 went to Chuck Wilson Heating & Cooling, Meriden, to install and upgrade air conditioning units, heat exchangers, and water heaters at the high school.

The school board will take a tour of the district buildings starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16.