NP School board sets Nov. 7 referendum

 
 
The New Prague Area School Board set a November 7 date to ask for a $246.70 per student general education revenue levy. 
The levy will replace the current levy that is set to expire after this year, and will cover the next six years, through 2023. It will represent a $100 increase per student over the current levy. 
Superintendent Tim Dittberner presented the proposal, which had been discussed at meetings in June and July. Discussion had included simply renewing the existing levy and increasing it by various amounts. 
“We have a healthy fund balance,” Dittberner told board members. “But projections show that fund balance will be declining over the next few years. It’s important for the district to have a slight increase to keep pace with inflation,” he said. 
He noted that while state funding has increased about 1 percent annually over the past few years, inflation has been up by 2 or 3 percent during that time. 
“We could go higher- we’re still a growing district, but we felt it was important to limit the tax impact,” he said. “The $100 additional levy will amount to about $42 a year on a home valued at $200,000 
Board member Dennis Havlicek said in looking at the proposal, “It is not out f line when looking at what other area districts are asking from their residents.” 
If approved, the $871 per pupil total levy compares favorably to Lakeville ($1,500 per pupil), Prior Lake-Savage ($1,300) and Northfield ($1,900 and asking for a higher amount this fall). 
“We need to limit the tax impact, but still ensure adequate funding,” he said. 
On a motion made by Jerry Walerius and seconded by Don Dvorak, the resolution setting a levy vote for November 7 was passed unanimously. 

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