Small Town News

Schools tax request down, board looking at new heating equipment

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The Mt. Pleasant School's 2009-2010 budget has been approved, with the district requesting fewer dollars from the county.

The total dollar amount requested from the tax coffers this year is $785,999, a decrease of $232,888.

In terms of mills, the school is requesting 177.86 mills, or a decrease of 65.89 from last year.

The decrease is the result of a property tax relief bill passed by the North Dakota legislature last spring.

The district is set to receive $314,000 in property tax relief, which will cover the decrease in requested tax dollars.

"The state tax relief received will help alleviate the district's dependency on local tax dollars," said Mt. Pleasant Superintendent, Brian Palmer.

According to Palmer, the district is set to receive property tax relief dollars for at least this school year and the next, with the possibility of four total years.

If the property tax relief dollars are suspended, Palmer said the district's per pupil payment, or how much money a school receives from the state for each student enrolled, is set to increase.

"Our enrollment projections are steady and we expect to make up the difference with how much money we receive per student," Palmer said.

A closer look at the budget shows marginal increases in several line items. The most notable change is in the general fund, where 109.75 mills are being requested, compared to 180.03 last year.

The district is also experiencing an increase in valuation. Last year, a mill was worth $4,193. This year, it has increased to $4,419.

The district is also set to receive $200,000 in state money, dubbed by Palmer as "a one time deal that has to be spent within the next two years."

Palmer indicated the money will be used to.help fund a new heating system which the school board is currently discussing.

"The school is exploring a new heating system due to deterioration of the internal walls of the current coal boiler," said Palmer. "We're waiting to find out how much, if anyj grant money we receive before wqj move forward with our heating project," Palmer said.

"The school is exploring a new heating system due to deterioration of the internal walls of the current coal boiler. We're waiting to find out how much, if any, grant money we receive before we move forward with our heating project."

Brian Palmer, superintendent



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© 2010 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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