The Centralia City Grade School Board Tuesday night approved a tax levy that is eight-tenths of a percent higher than last year but will actually result in a two-cent drop in the district’s tax rate due to growth in assessed valuation.
Superintendent Craig Clark says by careful management the school board has been able to cut the district’s tax rate by 12-cents since his arrival even with major building improvements. In addition, he notes the state is now better funding school,s and the one-cent sales tax approved by voters last year is allowing improvements.
“With the passing of the sales tax, we have money available to get some of the things that we need as far as the SRO, mental health services, and building needs. So we don’t have to overextend on those funds because there is a new source of revenue. The cool thing about that revenue source it’s everything that is included in the sales tax and not just property.”
The board also approved a five-year lease-purchase agreement for new school buses. By purchasing 2021 models with less than 10,000 miles, the district will save $180,000 over the length of the agreement. Clark notes they will want to trade in the buses again at the end of five years so he doesn’t see a large increase in maintenance costs as a result of buying the year-old buses. Each of the new buses will have back up cameras and will be air-conditioned.
The board also approved the district’s E-learning plan that will allow remote learning on what were formerly snow days.
In personnel action, the board approved the intent to retire letter from Jordan School Cook Martha Gray effective in December 2021. The board approved Centralia Junior High paraprofessional Felicia Orta’s resignation effective at the end of December this year. The board also approved the hiring of Michelle Atchison as bus driver.
