Like other school districts and local units of government, USD 251 North Lyon County will issue a notice to exceed the state’s revenue-neutral rate next week.
Board members approved that action at their meeting this week. Superintendent Bob Blair:
The levy amounts for general and capital outlay will remain at their maximums — general at 20 mils and capital outlay at eight — while the local option budget levy will go up about 0.30 mils. Blair reminded district patrons and property taxpayers the tentative figures announced Wednesday were maximums and the final numbers may be lower when the budget is approved in September.
Blair says the revenue-neutral rate, which has local entities like cities, counties and school districts file official notices if they have to spend more money than they did the prior year, has some benefits when it comes to transparency. However, there have been “unintended consequences” like altering the budget process timetable that should be fixed.
In other business, the board discussed some site council recommendations for the district’s strategic plan, including items on recruiting and retaining staff, facilities, budget accountability and student achievement. On staffing, Blair says the district is making progress on filling a raft of coaching positions and those should be finalized soon. The board will have further discussions on strategic planning later this academic year, likely after the November general election.
Off those topics, Blair says Northern Heights will have a new LED welcome sign soon and the district continues preliminary planning to start a new preschool by the start of the next school year.
