District 6 elementary mill levy passes, high school levy fails

In a turnout of only 16 percent of those registered in School District 6, voters passed the elementary district mill levy but rejected the high school levy on Tuesday.

A $69,608 mill levy for elementary general fund passed by 51 votes — 679 to 628. That will allow the district to maintain its textbook and supply levels for the 2008-09 school year, according to Superintendent Michael Nicosia.

"We'll bring back some of the funds we had earmarked for cuts," Nicosia said of the elementary district budget on Wednesday. "We'll wind up with cuts of about $216,000."

However, the $142,091 mill levy for the high school general fund failed by 40 votes — 737 to 697. Since the levy failed, $225,313 must be cut from the 2008-09 general fund budget due to the shortfall. Had the mill levy election been successful, the board would still have had to cut about $83,222 from the high school budget.

Nicosia said before the mill levy election that is was very important to allow the elementary to at least come close to maintaining the district's current programs and staffing levels. Passage of the levy will help offset the projected $285,592 elementary district shortfall.

Acceptance of the mill levy means a yearly property tax increase of $5.38 based on a home with a market value of $100,000, and an increase of $10.77 on a $200,000 home.

Trustees called for the high school mill levy election because the increase in state funding to the school year 2008-09 high school general fund budget is less than one-half of one percent (.37 percent or $19,968), while the projected increase in expenses are projected to be $245,281. The difference between the state funding increase and projected expenses for 2008-09 results in a $225,313 shortfall.

"It's a situation where we'll have to identify another $54,000 in cuts," Nicosia said.

The board had identified $170,395 of the $225,313 in budget cuts if the high school mill levy were to fail. The cuts are:¥ Personnel adjustments ?$54,173.¥ Textbooks ?$42,469.¥ Technology ?$19,049.¥ Instructional equipment ?$28,000.¥ Maintenance equipment ?$10,000.¥ Supplies ?$17,000.¥ To be determined ?$54,918.

Nicosia showed appreciation for the support District 6 has received in facing education shortfalls.

"Our community looked at the issues and did the best they could for us and we're grateful, and I'm sure our elementary children will be grateful," the superintendent said. "These are very difficult times."