Byron-Bergen Board of Education adopts 2006-07 budget

The Byron-Bergen Central Board of Education unanimously adopted the 2006-07 School District Budget at its meeting on Thursday, April 6. Expenditures in the proposed budget total $17.6 million, an increase of approximately $1.1 million from 2005-06. This translates into a tax levy increase for local residents estimated at 2.98 percent.

The district is projected to receive $9.8 million in state aid or approximately 4.4 percent more than for the 2005-06 school year to offset costs to local residents. The spending plan is a 6.65 percent increase over last year's budget. The actual school property tax rate will not be known until the new property assessment values have been released.

There are no program or job cuts in the proposed budget. The district plans to expand the summer school program to include pre-K students; has added additional amounts for textbooks, classroom materials and supplies, classroom furniture and musical instruments. Much of the budget's increase is attributable to higher energy costs, contractual obligations, and increases in retirement expenses.

The board's budget hearing is 7 p.m. May 9 at the Middle/High School Auditorium. The school budget vote is May 16 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the High School Fitness/Exercise Room located in the northwest corner of the high school.

Also the Board of Education adopted a proposition to purchase two sixty-five passenger busses, two seven passenger vans, and one car to transport students with all of the vehicles total expense not to exceed $203,000. Two school board positions are up for election this year. Incumbents Lori Nelson and Debra List seats are up for election.

Submitted material

April 30, 2006