School spending up, but no tax rate hike expected
The Northern Ozaukee School District’s proposed 2020-2021 budget calls for spending to be up nearly $2 million from last year, but the increase is not expected to increase the supporting tax rate.
Officials said the spending increase is mainly due to lower spending last year because of Covid-19 but will be offset by revenue from increased enrollment in the district’s two charter schools.
With higher equalized values and reduced debt, officials expect the tax rate on this December’s tax bill to be unchanged from last year.
Details of the budget will be discussed at the district’s annual meeting and a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.
The spending increase is due to a $1.3 million increase in non-program transactions related mainly to payments to the charter schools — Wisconsin Virtual Learning (WVL) and Riveredge Outdoor Learning Elementary School (ROLES).
On the plus side, however, district revenues were up about $1.26 million, thanks to students from outside the district attending the two charter schools and the district’s three schools.
“The majority of WVL and ROLES enrollment comes through open enrollment,” said Josh McDaniel, the district’s director of business services.
“WVL has seen a significant increase in enrollment for 2020-21 due to the pandemic, which is about $1.1 million of the increase. ROLES added fifth grade to their school, so they anticipate an increase of 20 students, which is about $160,000.”
In addition, the district will spend about $500,000 more in support services than last year. Part of that is due to fewer dollars were spent on transportation, utilities and other costs last year after the in-person school was shut down because of Covid-19.
There will be additional expenses related to cleaning, technology to support remote learning, upgrades to computers and to meet other needs in the district, McDaniel said.
All spending authorized by the $14.95 million referendum in April 2018 is expected to be complete by June 2021 under the new budget.
“If all projects are not completed, then funds will roll over to the following year,” McDaniel said.
All referendum funds must be spent by June 2022.
Projects to be funded in the new budget include completing an update of the Ozaukee Elementary School Library, primarily funded with a Bruce Krier Foundation grant; completing an upgrade to the high school locker room; updating food service program computers; and upgrading some of the equipment in the fitness center.
Under the proposed budget, total spending will increase from $12.91 million to $14.88 million; debt service will fall from $2.83 million to $1.71 million; and capital spending will plummet from $8.62 million to $647,265 as referendum spending comes to a close.
The district property tax levy is expected to increase 3.15% from $6.84 million to $7.06 million.
The district’s equalized tax rate is expected to remain relatively flat, but the final rate won’t be known until final aid amounts are released by the state on Oct. 15, McDaniel said.
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