GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Some taxpayers may be worried about the spike in the school budget, but Green Bay Area School District chief financial officer, John Kasha, tells FOX 11 he has good news.
“The tax rate will be slightly lower at a 10.10 mill rate and last year it’s at a 10.16, so it’s a little lower than this year.”
The mill rate is property taxes divided by total assessed value.
Kasha says the operational referendum last spring of $16.5 million helped prevent a tax rate increase.
“It’s not at a significant rate but I think it will help. I think what we’re trying to accomplish is to bring it down smoothly.”
As part of the budget, officials say they plan on adding 56 teachers to the district.
“There are areas where we need that extra staffing all across the district. We put in extra associated principals in terms of helping manage behaviors in school.” said Brenda Warren, Green Bay Area Public School District President.
Those additions are part of almost $8 million in salary and benefit increases.
Warren says the second biggest expenditure, special education, will get an bump of $2 million.
“We’ve made a commitment, special education, and in fact increased our budget over $2 million to meet individualized needs of our specialized education students across the district.”
In total, budgeted expenditures increased just over $15 million compared to last year.
Officials say the state aid of $155 million will also help the funds.
A public hearing and board meeting to adopt the budget is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
