January 7, 2015

Final figure to depend on actual EAV yet to be determined

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The Sullivan school district approved their levy request last month and went with the higher of two levy increases that the board first made public in November.

At their December 18 truth in taxation hearing, which was attended by two members of the public, the board explained the need for the 6.73 percent levy increase request, citing in part the nearly $200,000 lost this year in state aid after the local property value raised considerably while student population fell. Superintendent Brad Tuttle also cited approximately $61,000 in tax money the board recently left on the table after last year’s levy request fell short of the full actual levy amount for which they could have asked.

“Even though we asked for 9.98 (percent levy increase) last year, it came in at 11.90. By us not asking for 11.90, we actually lost $61,000 that we could have recouped,” said Tuttle. “And if you look at the history of our school, we have not received the amount we could have received since 2002.”     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.