School board approves tax initiative, 2012-13 budget

Once again this November, Page residents will have the option to vote on a noverride tax which would increase the amount of funding the school district has to work with.

The school board unanimously voted June 28 to place the issue on the ballot again this year, after it was shot down by voters last time.

Debbie Mansker, who recently retired from her position as the secretary to the superintendent, said that she gives the measure a 50-50 chance of getting approved this time, acknowledging that there will be resistance to taxation due to the state of the economy.

“I just think that people are being hit from every direction, sales tax, sewer rate increases, state, federal, and property taxes have already increased and to ask people to dig in their pockets one more time is going to be tough,” she said..

While she said the approximate setback in funding for the district could be close to $500,000 if the measure fails to pass again, she did say it is the teachers in the classrooms that impact student performance, not funding.

The board also heard and unanimously approved the proposed budget for the 2012-13 year with a total maintenance and operations expenditure budget of $16.2 million, which is slightly lower than last year, and a total capital outlay budget of $5.0 million.

The approved budget will be up for the board to adopt on July 10, then face two revision periods before the annual report on Oct. 8.

The board also discussed some of the other funding it receives, such as the 21st century grant that supports the creation of community learning centers, which provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.

The next meeting of the school board will be held PUSD governing board room on July 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Share on Facebook