School Board Sets Millage Rate
In a called meeting last Thursday, the Jasper County School Board members voted to set the millage rate at 17.99 for the next year. This figure is a tentative number that is a consensus for the board, but will not be finalized until June 28.
The five year digest is advertised today as well as through the month of June when final approval will take place.
With the 17.99 number actually in place, the result is a negative tax increase for Jasper County, meaning that school taxes will not go up. A .90 bond rate is also going to be set for the school’s rate this year and it is estimated that less revenue will be collected, however the bond debt will be able to be paid off.
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Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton said that there were three routes that the board could go and that the 17.99 was his recommendation. He also asked all those present to keep in mind that the school system is entitled to $1.4 million from the state that Jasper County will not receive.
Scenario A left the rate at 16.43, which would be the same as last year and in a $15.6 million budget, there would be a $2.7 million reduction.
In scenario B, the rate was input at 17.43, with a increase of one mill and in the same budget would result in a $1.97 reduction.
In the final scenario, 17.99 rate, $1.8 million would be the cut, resulting in a negative (-.40) increase, not raising taxes for the county.
The reduction is derived as the millage rate increase is less than the amount of the property value decrease. Some taxpayers will, in fact, pay more. However, the 17.99 mills overall will bring in less revenue than last year’s tax rate of 16.43 mills.
Based on a 90 percent collection rate a 10-12 percent reduction in the budget will take place, and the escalating cost of health care benefits for teachers will be looked into. Also, there may be a hiring freeze put into place where all positions are not replaced. The system is not looking at firing teachers, however a decrease in the budget by 4 percent means not raising taxes, it does not mean a reduction in force. Furlough days will also be implemented along with entire system shut-downs to save funds throughout the upcoming year.
In other action, Aubrey B. Fortson was hired as a paraprofessional at Jasper County High School. Dr. Angela Gordon, assistant principal at Jasper County Middle School is transferring to JCHS as assistant principal. Pam Akin, Kyle Gourley, Sandra Atkinson, Mary Sharp, Scott Carey, Paul Stokes, Gina Carnrike, all teachers; and Amy Geiser, food assistant were all approved for resignation.
The middle school principal position will remain unfilled for the time being, whereas a position for the health occupations and agriculture curriculums are being advertised currently.
