School Board OKs budget changes to set up tax rate freeze

But some members pushed for greater tax savings

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff Writer

The School Board approved an amended Burlington Area School District budget for 2013-14 Aug. 5, but the support was hardly unanimous.

By a 4-3 vote, the board accepted the Finance Committee’s recommendation of a .6 percent increase in the tax levy – which would work out about neutral to property owners because new construction is expected to keep the tax rate at last school year’s level.

The district received about $270,000 more than expected in state aid, and adjusted its original budget accordingly at last week’s Finance Committee meeting. However, there were concerns raised by board member Larry Anderson that the district wasn’t planning ahead by taxing slightly above its needs this year, while other board members raised objections about not lowering the tax levy further.

At Monday’s meeting, board members Roger Koldeway and Phil Ketterhagen voted against the budget for various reasons they said tied back to fiscal responsibility within the district, while new board member Jim Bousman voted no because he felt the district wasn’t using the extra money to enhance programs in the district.

“That’s where my disappointment lies,” said Bousman. Anderson said his concerns were allayed with further clarification from the state.

With Board President David Thompson, Bill Campbell, Anderson and Rosanne Hahn voting for the budget, the modified numbers will go for public approval at the annual meeting later this month.

That meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. at the BHS auditorium.

While Bousman expressed his frustration that the district didn’t use the money for program enhancement, both Ketterhagen and Koldeway expressed their disappointment in the district not saving the taxpayers more.

Ketterhagen said the increase could be viewed as a “tax and spend” mentality by the district, pointing out what he called “little things” such as a raise for a pair of technical education teachers and the district agreeing to a fuel overage charge in its transportation contract.

He also complained that the budget has locked in teacher salary increases before they are negotiated.

Koldeway, meanwhile, said the district was “deficit spending” by using the fund balance, “kicking the can down the road” by not addressing needed changes with benefits and that staff didn’t do enough in looking for ways to reduce costs.

“I think we really need to do a better job of looking at this budget,” Koldeway said.

Anderson countered by saying the district has to worry about salary and benefits to stay competitive.

“We have to maintain quality personnel,” he said.