The Clintonville Public School District (CPSD) Board of Education approved the 2010-11 levy and budget at the Annual Meeting on Monday, Aug. 23.
The original proposed levy had been set at $11.14 per $1,000 of full valuation, but a $575,000 heating and cooling project for the middle school and Dellwood pushed the amount up. The HVAC project has a $1.03 impact on the proposed levy, bringing it to $12.17 per $1,000 of full valuation.
Business Manager Jenny Goldschmidt explained that the $1.03 increase will be for one year only, as the HVAC project will be completed within one school budget year.
Of the total proposed $12.17 levy, $8.18 is ascribed to the general fund (Fund 10); $3.36 to the debt service fund (Fund 39); and $0.63 to the community fund (Fund 80).
The levy rate in 2008-09 was $9.87. It increased to $10.97 in 2009-10 and the rate for 2010-11 is $12.17-a 10.94 percent increase from last year.
The total school levy rose from $5,524,336 in 2008-09 to $6,087,987 in 2009-10, and will rise to $6,754,113 for the 2010-11 school year. The 2010-11 levy rate assumes a zero percent increase on the equalized valuation which will be certified on Oct. 1, 2010. The levy rate is based on the equalized valuation as certified by the Department of Revenue. Property tax bills are determined through the individual municipality’s variation on the assessed valuation of the property.
The board also announced that contracts with the Clintonville Education Association had been finalized for the 2009-11 and 2011-2014 time periods. Teachers will receive a 4.2 percent raise each year for the next three years, but will also be required to take on a 20 percent increase in workload.
Superintendent Tom O’Toole addressed residents in attendance, pointing out that declining enrollment is having a big impact on the district. He listed other future considerations that could affect the district, but said he remains optimistic about the future.
“We had to make some tough choices in our budget decisions this year, but we do have a balanced budget,” he said. “Enrollment dictates so much. We don’t have to look far to find districts with severe financial problems, and we have worked hard to protect our financial stability. We will continue to provide whatever we can for our students and staff.
“The residents of the Clintonville Public School District should feel good regarding our local public school system,” O’Toole concluded. “The future for the district as well as the community should continue to be bright with the facility and educational upgrades that have taken place over the past several years. This high school and community partnership should continue to make us all proud in the future as we show positive, ongoing support for each other.”
School Board President Tim Schultz echoed O’Toole’s optimism.
“We appreciate the taxpayers for their continued support-not just financially, but through volunteering and getting involved in the classroom,” Schultz said. “Our students are scoring well on assessment tests and all of our schools have met federal requirements. We will continue to work hard and we look forward to a bright future this coming school year.”
Complete copies of the report to the annual meeting are available at the District Office, 45 W. Green Tree Rd.
Clintonville Public School District students in grades K-9 return to class on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Students in grades 10-12 return on Thursday, Sept. 2. Students at St. Martin Lutheran School resume class on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Students at St. Rose and St. Mary Catholic School also resume class on Wednesday, Sept. 1.