Richland School District Business Official Jon Bosworth presented information about the Equalized Value & Levy Rate, and Propety Tax vs State Aid at last night’s Tuesday) School Board meeting. The Board will set the tax levy for the Richland School District at the October 28. He reported that at this time there is just a […]
By JoAnn Krulatz
Richland School District Business Official Jon Bosworth presented information about the Equalized Value & Levy Rate, and Propety Tax vs State Aid at last night’s Tuesday) School Board meeting. The Board will set the tax levy for the Richland School District at the October 28. He reported that at this time there is just a small increase in the factors for the tax levy. The only increase in the tax levy is due to inflation. The fair market value on the tax bill is the same as the equalized value. Bosworth also gave four different scenarios of what the tax levy could be for the 2024-25 preliminary budget. Factors to consider are State Aid, Levy Rate, and Future Years. The Mill Rates being considered are: $8.56, $8.66, $9.12, and $10.22. Of all the townships, Buena Vista will be the hardest hit due to its 18% increase in equalized value. Many of the board members feel that the rate needs to be kept in the area of the amount that was promised in the referendum. The most popular scenario among board members was #2 which calls for the maximum revenue and paying $100,000 in defeasance. The board unanimously approved Scenario 2 at a levy of $8.66.
A referendum project process was approved which allows the Buildings, Property, and Transportation Committee members: to review any bid specs and proposals and select a vendor, so long as the decision is unanimous. If any bid selection is not endorsed by all members present of the Committee, that bid process would then come to the full board for action; to allow the Buildings, Property, and Transportation Committee Chairperson and the District Administrator to approve change orders up to $25,000; and to allow the Buildings, Property, and Transportation Committee, as a whole, to approve change orders up to $150,000 if the decision is unanimous by the Committee. All other situations will go to the full Board for consideration.
Shaun Tjossem, Director of Special Education, reported on the Check & Connect Program which is in its second year in the district. Check & Connect is an intervention used with K-12 students who show warning signs of disengagement with school and who are at risk of dropping out. At the core of Check & Connect is a trusting relationship between the student and a caring, trained mentor who both advocates for and challenges the student to keep education as a goal. Students are referred to Check & Connect when they show warning signs of disengaging from school, such as poor attendance, behavioral issues, and/or low grades. School Psychologist, Lisa Goff, said that students are not only excelling in the program. They choose to stay in the program and get involved in new activities. At this time 16 mentors are mentoring 17 students. The ask last night (Tuesday) was the approval of two additional mentors, which would allow the district to mentor 19 students.
Other items the board approved include:
Changes in Special Education staffing to allow a Special transportation van driver and assistant; and a Special education reading/math instructor.
The formalizing of an easement between Bradie and Rachel Ewing and the Richland School District.
Upgrades to the Richland Center High School IMC at a cost not to exceed $275,000.
And the acceptance of a number of gifts to the district.
There will be no school in the Richland School District Wednesday (October 16). It is an In-Service Day and Parent Teacher Conferences will be held from 11:00 to 7:00.
The Richland School District’s Annual meeting and Budget Hearing will be held next Monday, October 21, at 6:30 in the Richland Center High School IMC.
