Brainerd School District taxpayers could expect to see a small increase on their school property tax statements for 2009.
The Brainerd School Board Monday approved a proposed $13.76 million levy for 2009, or a 5.2 percent increase from its 2008 levy. The school district's 2008 levy was down 5.8 percent from 2007.
The school board set the proposed levy at the maximum so that state adjustments or corrections, if any, will be included in proposed statements from Crow Wing, Cass and Morrison counties. The school board will certify the final levy for 2009 at its December regular board meeting.
Steve Dickinson, director of business services, said one of the major changes in the 2009 levy was the district had to levy more money for re-employment insurance. Dickinson said the school district has an increased number of lay-offs from this school year so it'll see more unemployment claims.
Another change in the levy is a new funding model that has the district proposing a $72,000 increase for 2009. Dickinson said the new funding model is for a program held by the federal government to recoup revenue it lost to many school districts in the state.
Dickinson said the current $199 per pupil unit operating levy is still in place for the 2009 levy which will brings in about $1.48 million.
In other business, the district approved two contracts with Northern Pines Mental Health for a total of $744,897 for mental health services for students. A majority of the money for these contracts comes from grants and it's self funded, said Brainerd School Board member Bob Nystrom, who did not vote on the issue due to conflict of interest.
There were no increases in the Northern Pines contracts from the previous school year.
Hired Christa Miller as a kindergarten teacher at Lowell Elementary School and Nicole Anderson as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher at Baxter Elementary School.
Approved the 2008 school handbooks.
Heard that enrollment was at 6,872. Superintendent Steve Razidlo said enrollment was down in first and third grade and in 11th and 12th grade.
Agreed to continue with Ehlers and Associates as the district's financial adviser.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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