Unlike previous two years, school budget draws few comments as tax levy is approved
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
Over the last three years, the Burlington Area School District annual meeting – where the voting public approves the tax levy – has gone from sparsely attended to a full-blown controversial atmosphere.
But on Monday, the meeting trended back toward the quiet and uncontroversial – even if it was well attended.
Just two people – one citizen and one School Board member – made comments at the meeting, and the tax levy increase of .6 percent was approved by a vote of 165-8.
School district officials have said that they expect the small increase to be offset by new construction, so area residents will not likely see an increase on their tax bills.
Most of Monday evening’s meeting was taken up by the obligatory reports that are part of every annual meeting – School Board President David Thompson outlining the rules, BASD Superintendent Peter Smet complimenting staff and students, and BASD Business Administrator Ruth Schenning covering the treasurer’s report and outlining the proposed budget.
With the .6 percent tax increase, the district will still utilize around $400,000 of the fund balance to even out the budget.
Only one citizen – Jeff Kraschnewski – had a comment. After asking for hard numbers on the declining enrollment and the staff wage increase, all he said was, “I respect the board’s position. So, thank you.”
School Board member Phil Ketterhagen used his three minutes to urge the public in attendance to look into the common core standards school districts are being asked to adopt – and to push for more.
“Do some research. Common core standards do cost,” he said.
After Thompson praised the teaching staff for pushing his son to graduation in the spring, he asked for a motion, and School Board member Larry Anderson proposed a resolution for the tax levy.
The vote counting took 5-10 minutes.
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