Mount Vernon News
 
 

  • Voters reject school levies

  • Discuss   Comments   Images     Print     Facebook  +  -

  • By Pamela Schehl
  • December 31, 2010 10:25 am EST

MOUNT VERNON — All the public school districts in the area wrestled with budget issues in 2010, trying to cope successfully with declining revenues along with increasing expenses. Each district instituted cost containment measures, and, with the exception of Centerburg and Danville, asked residents in the respective district for more money.

North Fork district voters approved the renewal of a 1 percent earned income tax in February, but rejected a three-year 6.8-mill operating levy in November.

In May, East Knox residents voted against a five-year, 1 percent earned income tax to be used for operating expenses. Residents also turned down a 4.97-mill emergency property tax levy in both August and November.

Although Fredericktown’s five-year, 4.8-mill property tax levy failed in May, the school board pulled the issue from the November ballot because the district received enough federal stimulus dollars to carry it through the school year.

In May, Mount Vernon school district voters renewed a 2.75-mill emergency operating levy, but in November rejected a 4.6-mill operating levy that would have generated additional funds for operating expenses.

The financial outlook for schools in 2011 continues to be bleak, as state funding is expected to again be reduced by a percentage that could be as much as 20 percent in some cases.

Centerburg will have to make some tough decisions about substantial budget cuts when the new fiscal year starts in July. Danville, too, will do everything it can to live within its means.

East Knox, Fredericktown, Mount Vernon and North Fork have already made cuts and/or increased fees, and are engaging community members in conversations about options for managing declining resources while maintaining quality programs for the students.

North Fork will place a levy on the May 2011 ballot. The Fredericktown board will be discussing levy options in January as will the Mount Vernon Board of Education.

pschehl@mountvernonnews.com

  • Print
  • Discuss
  • Comments
  • Pin It
image gallery
twitter

    Advertisement

    E-edition
    Photo Store

     

    © Copyright 2013 Progressive Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, without the expressed permission of Progressive Communications. 740-397-5333  1-800-772-5333  Facebook  YouTube  Twitter   Google Currents