HOWARD — The East Knox school board on Monday took the first steps toward placing a tax issue on the November ballot. The unanimous action was taken following a lengthy discussion regarding district finances and the various levy options available to raise funds for the day-to-day operation of the district.
Treasurer Jessi Busenburg reported the district continues to spend more than it is receiving in revenues even though expenses have been reduced by $240,000 as compared to this time last year. Revenues are down $247,000 over the same time period, she said, and state funding has been decreased by $440,000. If nothing changes, Busenburg cautioned, the district will have little or no cash balance by the end of June 2013.
Board members talked about the need for additional funds and deliberated about the amount they should ask the voters to approve. In the belief that the community desires the restoration of programs and services that have been cut in an effort to save money, the board decided to ask for somewhat more than is needed to merely maintain the bare bones status quo.
