The Salem Grade School Board of Education approved a 3.7% tax levy increase at the regular school board meeting on Monday. The levy is expected to bring an additional $104,112 to the district. The levy is low enough not to require a Truth in Taxation hearing, and superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe noted that because of an increase in equalized assessed value, the overall tax rate will still decrease.
The board discussed the new TIF 4 district and chose not to vote to approve an agreement with the city of Salem related to the TIF. The agreement would return residential property tax growth to taxing bodies in the district but would require the taxing bodies to write a letter of support to extend the downtown TIF for 12 years. Board members took issue with the requirement to approve a downtown TIF extension as part of the agreement and cited concerns of the school district’s attorney and unanswered questions about the agreement.
The board discussed but chose not to act on a proposal to adopt a new potentially cost-saving health insurance plan with the Egyptian Trust. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe said she and the board did not want to create stress or uncertainty for district employees by switching to a new policy without giving those who would be affected time to fully understand it. The district will take bids and look for a new insurance plan for certified employees next year.
The board accepted the resignations of Jacob Brandenburg and Allison Simmons as paraprofessionals and approved the voluntary move of Destiny Wimberly to 5th grade classroom aide.
