Community meetings on referendum set for June 5-6
By David Dyb
The Iola-Scandinavia School Board has scheduled two community input meetings to further discuss its plans for holding a November referendum.
The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 5, and at 7 p.m. Monday, June 6, in the high school auditorium.
As a result of feedback received from the first community presentation and having updated school district forecast data, board members feel it is important to share this information with the public before finalizing referendum questions.
Everyone is invited to attend and opportunities will be given to ask questions about the referendum updates.
A summary of plans for the original $2 million debt question for capital project will be reviewed, along with the revisions to the “step-up” operating referendum question to exceed revenue limits.
The I-S School Board is increasing the amount of money to be asked for in the operating referendum question to further address budget deficits along with the ability to maintain student learning opportunities and address maintenance projects not included in the first question.
Throughout the planning process, the board has wanted to maintain a flat or declining mill rate during the five years of the referendum. Although an increase would be expected in the first year, the local taxing impact should average out to less than $9 a year on a $100,000 property.
Through the duration of the five-year non-recurring referendum, the school board would have the authority to levy up to the “step-up” amount assigned to a given year through 2020-21.
Given the unknown variables with state funding and future local property valuations, the added flexibility would give the I-S School Board the ability to make adjustments that best address the needs of the school district while being fiscally responsive to district residents.
David Dyb is the Iola-Scandinavia School District administrator.