During Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting, the board passed the 2017-2018 school year budget by a vote of 4-2.
The total mill levy is 56.270 and will include 8.0 mills for capital outlay. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed, taxable property value.
Director of Business Services Lew Faust led a presentation to the board about the budget and its impacts. He said the levy was flat like last year, there would have been a $40 increase on property tax for personal residence. At the current levy of 56.270, there will be a $61 increase. Commercial businesses will see a $346 increase. The cost per mill stayed relatively the same.
Board Member Leah Fliter made a motion to passed the budget and fellow Board Member Aaron Estabrook seconded the motion. Board Member Dave Colburn was worried there would be a 3-3 vote and would not pass the budget. Board members stressed that they had to pass the budget during that meeting. Marcia Rozell was almost called to if they needed to break a tie vote.
Colburn was hesitant because he was inclined to support the original which would have had 7.5 mills, but said the 8 mills could work. A vote was called and the budget was passed 4-2.
Also discussed during the meeting were reports from Superintendent Marvin Wade and other members of USD 383 about the first day of school. Wade and others had quite a bit of positive comments to issue to the board.
Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid talked Preliminary Enrollment. The total numbered head count for the first day of school was 6215 students for K-12, though Reid said the numbers will change and will be slightly lower.
The next school board meeting will take place September 6th. Board President Darrell Edie said they will hear updates from the Manhattan High School Mascot Committee.
