(Griswold) Griswold Schools Superintendent Dave Henrichs shared encouraging news with the school board Monday night regarding the district’s tax levy.
Henrichs said Senate File 2201, passed in late February, includes a provision he believes is largely unprecedented. The state will now fund the budget guarantee, which ensures school districts receive the same level of funding as the previous year if enrollment declines—something the Griswold district has recently experienced.
In the past, he noted, budget guarantees were paid for through local property taxes. With the passage of SF 2201, that responsibility shifts from local taxpayers to the state. Henrichs said a timing issue at the state level led to inaccurate information being included in the budget hearing notice sent to district patrons. However, he noted the corrected figures bring better news. The original notice listed the tax levy at $12.68, but the updated and accurate rate is $12.15. Overall, Henrichs said school district patrons will pay about $60,000 less in taxes than they did the previous year.
The state paid for the $189,000 budget guarantee. Henrichs says the second hearing is scheduled for April 20.
Meanwhile, the district continues to make progress on its general obligation bond for the elementary expansion project. On Monday night, the school board approved a resolution allowing an early payment on the G.O. bond, using $290,000 that had already been budgeted. Making this advance payment will save property taxpayers about $78,600 in interest. It also marks the sixth straight year the district has paid ahead on the bond, resulting in significant savings over time. In total, the district has made $1.6 million in early payments over the past six years, saving taxpayers roughly $401,000 in interest.
In other news, the school board accepted the resignations of Alysia Holbrook, pre-school teacher, effective at the end of the school year, and Peggy Casey, certified Librarian, effective at the end of March. and Laura Michael, quiz bowl sponsor, effective on May 1. The school board approved the hiring of Mackenzie Dejong, an elementary para-professional, who started on March 2.
