Ringgold budget approved — but not without opposition
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
Ringgold School Board approved a 2020-21 district budget that includes a 4/10th of a mill tax increase despite the objection of some board members Wednesday.
The final budget represents $46.74 million in expenditures, which is about $44,000 more than the budget figures discussed last week when the board met last week.
The budget uses $129,000 of the district’s $549,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to plug a deficit.
The remaining $419,000 in CARES funds will be used to cover expenses related to COVID-19, which Acting Superintendent Randy Skrinjorich expects will be spent to get the buildings ready for students to return and to keep the buildings open according to guidelines once schools reopen.
The median assessed value of a property in the Ringgold School District is $111,000 and the 4/10 of a mill increase will cost an additional $44 in taxes annually. The annual tax bill for a property of that value will go from $1,570 to $1,614.
Before the vote, board member Maureen Ott said these are very unusual times and never in her lifetime have public schools had to shut down due to a public health crisis. Ott also acknowledged the additional expenses COVID-19 will bring.
“Ringgold taxpayers are facing difficult times themselves,” Ott said.
She talked about several area school districts that initially talked about raising taxes earlier this year and then decided not to follow through with it because of the country’s economic downturn.
Specifically, Ott talked about California Area School District where the board initially wanted a tax increase so high it required a referendum vote on the primary ballot this month. After the pandemic brought its own set of economic difficulties, the board decided not to force the voters to make that decision.
“I cannot in good conscience vote for a tax increase this year,” Ott said, adding that the CARES funds will cover the COVID expenses even though it’s not a perfect solution.
Vice President Jim Dodd said he agrees that it’s incredibly difficult to vote for the tax increase because the board is having a different experience than it has had in several years.
“But, the only thing you can count on is change and increased costs,” Dodd said. “I think we’ve done the best that we can to show restraint. If you want certain programs, you have to pay for them. It hurts my heart to see people furloughed.”
President Bill Stein said the board has traditionally raised taxes in smaller increments to avoid the larger spikes some other districts have had.
“It’s kept us solvent,” Stein said. “I don’t like a tax increase, but it’s necessary for our children. Maureen, you’re right. People are losing their jobs, but they’re asking us to provide the same education for the kids and not cut programs.”
In the vote to approve the preliminary budget in May, board member Harley Bobnar voted no. Last week she shared Ott’s concerns.
“With the demographics we have in this district,” Bobnar said at the time, “there are a lot of people coming out of this without jobs and that needs to be taken into consideration. I don’t think it’s the right time to put that on the residents.”
The budget passed 6-3 with Ott, Bobnar and Gene Kennedy voting against the spending plan. Voting in favor were Stein, Dodd, Jason Gerard, Carol Flament, Sherrie Garry and Larry Mauro.
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