Kirtland Schools officials: We need a levy

Kirtland school officials seek new tax to avoid operating deficit

Kirtland Schools officials intend to ask voters to pass a levy to avoid a deficit.

Kirtland School Board is turning to residents to help boost the district’s flagging budget.

The board on Jan. 22 unanimously voted to place a new 5.9-mill operating levy on the May 8 ballot.

The income is needed to avoid an operating deficit and preserve the academic excellence of the district, according to a prepared statement from school officials.

“The board and administration have had ongoing discussions regarding the systemic revenue problem our district faces,” the statement reads.

During meetings with the community, Superintendent Bill Wade shared that revenue has remained relatively flat since the 2012 levy and has actually declined the past two school years.

He said the district has taken aggressive steps to reduce costs, including staffing reductions; shared service agreements for a treasurer, bus mechanic, food service program, and facilities, custodial and maintenance supervisor; and increased employee contributions for healthcare benefits.

These efforts kept district spending at half the state and national averages, but it wasn’t enough, he said.

“Kirtland Schools have a reputation for academic excellence and fiscal responsibility,” Wade said. “We have worked hard over the past several years to strengthen our academic standards while at the same time being responsible stewards of the public money. But the reality is that we have hit the wall. If we do not address the fiscal reality, we will have to make decisions that will have an adverse academic impact on our district.”

No specific reductions have been identified at this time, he said.

The levy request was a difficult decision, but an important one, board member Shannon Green said.

“We have the best teachers and staff in the area, and our students are getting a wonderful, highquality education, and we want to maintain that,” she said.

The operating levy would cost homeowners an additional $206.50 a year per $100,000 in home value, according to the Lake County Auditor’s Office.