(Spirit Lake)– More elements of the Spirit Lake school district’s budget are coming together as a result of Monday evening’s regular monthly school board meeting.
Board members adopted a resolution giving the district the authority to levy up to its maximum amount of $251,423 through the state’s budget guarantee resolution to help offset a revenue shortfall associated with declining enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year.
On a three-to-one vote, the board voted to increase the income surtax that’s used to fund the instructional support levy from four percent currently to six percent, with the additional two percent coming from income tax instead of property taxes. Board member Scott Wicks cast the lone no vote. Board member Todd Hummel was absent.
Board members were also informed by Spirit Lake Police Chief Jeff Hanson that due to a shortage of an officer in his department and a hiring freeze that’s been imposed by the city, that the school liaison position for the upcoming school year will likely be reduced from 40 hours per week to 20.
Board members also heard from the district’s former Business Manager. Joyce Peschon read a prepared statement in which she expressed her gratitude for working for the district the past 32 years, but questioned why she was being terminated. Board members didn’t comment on the matter during the meeting. They voted unanimously to approve the termination as listed on the consent agenda for Monday evening’s meeting.
