Tax Rate Could Increase to Save Plum School Programs

Plum School District officials are considering increasing the property tax millage rate in an attempt to save some educational programs.

On Tuesday, the school board held a special finance workshop to discuss the district's $55.2 million 2013-14 budget.

At the end of last month, the board approved a budget cutting several programs and 24 teaching positions—including a librarian and guidance counselor—in an effort to close a $1 million deficit. Students, alums, parents and residents spoke up about keeping the programs, and officials could do that with a tax increase and by taking some money from the district fund balance.

The proposed preliminary budget reduced the millage rate from 22.2 mills to a "revenue neutral" 18.44 mills due to the countywide reassessments. However, officials have asked that a millage rate of 18.75—generating more than $460,000 in additional revenue—be included in the budget.

Among the programs on the chopping block were the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Plum TV Production, business education and family consumer sciences at the high school; and French, Spanish and computer instruction at the junior high. Officials also had proposed that technology education at all schools be eliminated as well as the Boyce Campus Middle College Program—also referred to as BCMC—which provides an alternative for students who don't feel like they fit in the regular high school setting.

The new millage rate coupled with a $448,300 contribution from the fund balance could save some, though not all, of the programs.

Still at risk are:

• The BCMC program
• Family Consumer Sciences at the high school level
• Four paraprofessional positions
• The Oblock Library paraprofessional position
• The high school library/nurse administrative assistance position