Board of Education Sets Millage Rate
A quorum of Jasper County Board of Education members voted last week to set a tentative 14.76 millage rate in order to support the fiscal year 2006 maintenance and operation budget.
The millage rate is an increase of 1.32 from last year. Superintendent Jay Brinson explained that the fiscal year 2007 budget will require $5,556,877 of local tax revenue. The figure represents a $480,736 increase from last year’s required budget.
Supt. Brinson noted that the local revenues needed increased largely due to $1.4 million cutbacks in state funding from the previous four fiscal years. He also added that fiscal year 2007 quality basic education (QBE) funding will be reduced by $221,753.
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While state funding has reduced, state requirements continue to increase expenditures for school systems, he said. The state is currently requiring school systems to pay a 4 percent salary increase and reduce class sizes which will result in 10 new positions to the local payroll this year, said Mr. Brinson.
Board members also approved an additional 1.0 millage rate to meet debt service requirements of the 2004 bond issue.
Residents will be able to comment on the proposed tax increase during three public hearings scheduled for Thursday, August 17 at 6 p.m. and two additional hearings on Thursday, August 24 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. All hearings will be conducted in the Board of Education meeting room in the old Washington Park School.
Supt. Brinson highlighted significant changes in the 2007 budget for school board members. Jasper County Primary School staff changes include the addition of a special education teacher, moving a kindergarten teacher to federal funding, adding two first grade teachers, and adding an EIP teacher.
Washington Park School staff changes include adding a special education teacher, and adding two fourth grade teachers and a fifth grade teacher to general fund.
Middle school staff changes include adding one-half health/physical education teacher and eliminating an academic coach position. High school staff changes include adding one-half health/physical education teacher and adding a graduation specialist position. Also one central office part-time classified position was eliminated.
Other highlights include a group health insurance increase of more than two percent; an increase in teachers retirement system; county library funding increased; textbook purchases increased from $78,200 to $130,100; transportation fuel budget increased from $125,000 to $225,000; and bus replacement cost increased from $120,000 to $155,000.
Overall approximately $15 million is anticipated in expenditures of which $9.7 million is for instruction salaries; $1.35 million for maintenance and operation; $1.28 million for student transportation; and just under $1 million for school administration.
The Board of Education will conduct its regular work session today, August 10 at 7 p.m. and the business meeting Tuesday, August 15 at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the board room at the old Washington Park School.
