School property tax levy slated to rise, rate to fall

The money that local taxpayers kick in to fund the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District is rising as state aid has been slipping.

Business Manager Tera Rogers said at last week’s annual meeting that in a year or two she expects local property taxes will generate a higher percentage of district revenue than state aid.

That, she said, is partly due to property valuation, declining enrollment and larger districts in the state taking up more of the money designated for education.

“As our value grows, the state sees us as more property rich, then they give us less aid,” Rogers said, adding that the Lake Geneva School District receives no state aid because of its property values.

The district’s property value increased from $1.123 billion last year to $1.219 billion this year. The value had been increasing for years.

Electors approved a property tax levy of  $7.5 million, an increase of $408,000,  or 5%, from last year.

“But what I can also tell you is there are more people who are being taxed so we can spread it out a little bit more so that impact won’t be as great on our taxpayers,” Rogers said.

The tax rate in this year’s proposed budget is projected to fall from $6.30 per $100,000 of equalized value to $6.11. That means the owner of a $350,000 home will pay $2,138.50 in school taxes this year.

The levy, tax rate and school voucher bill are subject to change after Rogers received the final numbers from the state this week. The School Board will vote on the final budget on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

“I’m waiting for that big number (state aid) from the state, and that is going to be our tipping point. Do we have enough or are we going to have to work through another deficit?” Rogers said.

The district covered a $500,000 deficit last year.

“That was done through attrition. There were no layoffs, nobody was let go. It was simply consolidation, retirements, resignations,” Rogers said.

Rogers said she budgeted $750,000 for school vouchers this year, a program in which students meeting certain criteria attend private schools with taxpayer money.

Other budget highlights include a $100,000 increase in supplies since that’s the value of a cybersecurity grant. Utilities and transportation is increasing by nearly $300,000.

“There’s always an increase in that,” Rogers said.

Equipment costs are up because Rocket Academy, the district’s charter school that teaches skilled trades, received a $200,000 grant.

Rogers said she is “bummed” about the district’s open enrollment numbers. Ninety students are coming into the district from other areas while the district is losing 122 students. Since the $11,000 per student goes to the district in which students attend, “that’s a pretty big budgetary imbalance for us,” Rogers said.

The district’s fund balance, an account for unexpected expenses, is slated to remain at $4.72 million.

“There are a lot of schools that would do a lot to get where we’re at. We are very fiscally responsible, and the work that we’ve done is reflected in this,” Rogers said.