by David Hill
Editor
The Board of Education for School District 564 held its Truth in Taxation hearing on Monday, Dec. 9. The information presented during the hearing reflected the impact of the levy referendum voters approved in November.
According to information presented by Tanya Monson-Ek, financial advisor to the District, the levy would add $1,681,920 to the general fund.
Voters received their proposed property tax notices from Pennington County recently, but those notices don’t include how the referendum would impact their taxes. The notices issued by the county did state that the levy had not been included.
The levy approved by voters would be collected for the 2025-26 revenue year.
Monson-Ek also pointed out that the District’s equity index decreased as a result of the decrease in estimated pupil units. The total amount of the decrease was estimated at $64,600.84.
Finance Committee
During the regular meeting of the School Board, Mike Spears, a member of the Board of Education, reported that the Finance Committee had met on Dec. 4. Among the topics of discussion was a proposal to reduce the budget next year by $300,000.
The reduction, said Spears, would address the need to right-size the District. Right-sizing refers to reducing the budget to take into account the reduction in the number of students enrolled in District schools.
Discussions by the Finance committee also ventured into the current activity fee schedule. Spears said they are considering a recommendation to hold back on some, and keep others.
The Board of Education did not take any action.
Scoreboards at the Multi-Events Center baseball and football fields were also discussed. No recommendations were forwarded to the Board of Education.
The Board of Education will conducts its 2025 organizational meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13. The regular meeting will follow at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13. Both meetings will take place in the District Service Center.