The Salem Grade School Board Monday night approved their annual tax levy. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says the board decided on a 3.7 percent tax rate increase over last year’s tax levy.
“We went with 3.7 because we didn’t want to go up any higher than we had to. And we knew that by doing this our tax rate would go down by about .23 cents. Which we are very pleased about. So that will give us about $104,000 over what we had last year.”
The board also agreed to abate part of the tax levy that is being paid for by the one cent sales for schools.
“Every year we do a resolution to abate that, so the alternative revenue bonds will be paid for by our one cent sales tax. So it’s over $249,000 that will not be on the tax levy and not be on our tax papers.”
The school board was told some repair work will be completed over the Christmas break. Two breaker boxes will be replaced for $4,820. The board is also discussing the need to make repairs to the Hawthorn School roof that has developed soft spots and leaks, but took no action. Any repairs will be paid from the one cent sales tax revenue.
Foppe is also inviting the public to view their newly updated website at salem111.com.
The school has assembled volunteer teachers into teams to begin school improvement discussion upon arrival back from their Christmas break.
The school is now waiting to receive their audit in January.
The board hired paraprofessional Jessica Branson. Resignations include Carter Consolino, a paraprofessional, and Amanda Shanafelt, kitchen worker.
