Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 114, No. 38	September 19, 2007

Board of Education sets property tax rates – lower than last year

By SANDRA STONE
Messenger Staff

The Meade County Board of Education set the tax rates for real and tangible property during their Sept. 11 regular meeting. The tax on real property is 49.80 cents per $100 valuation, a decrease from the 2006 rate of 52.10 cents. “By lowering the tax rate, hopefully we’re helping our constituents and continuing to use tax dollars wisely,” said superintendent of schools Mitch Crump. The tax on tangible property is 52.80 cents per $100 valuation, a slight increase from last year’s 52.60 cents per $100. On a motion by Belinda Cross, seconded by Eugene Sheeran, the board was unanimous in its acceptance of the tax rates presented.

The board received updates on current construction projects and a preview of planned improvements at Ekron Elementary School. Kenny Stanfield of Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects showed the board a preliminary drawing of a planned addition at Ekron Elementary School. The addition would include eight new classrooms, a bank of new restrooms, a new entrance and administrative suite, a facelift for the cafeteria, a computer lab adjacent to the library, a roof over the existing courtyard and a parent drop-off canopy. Stanfield also recommended taking advantage of the hillside to create a basement, which could meet future needs for space. “It’s only a drawing at this point,” said Crump, “but we’re headed in the right direction.”

Rodney Pickering provided an update on the construction projects at Meade County High School and Brandenburg Primary School. Pickering said he anticipated the work on the entry at the high school should be completed by the end of fall break with everything opened back up. The work on the auditorium and athletic addition will continue through the winter with final completion of all phases anticipated next spring. The cooling towers are being installed. Pickering said they are very quiet and should alleviate neighbors’ concerns about noise. The foods room was expected to be turned over by the end of the week. Work at Brandenburg Primary School is nearly complete with mostly punch list items remaining.

A review of the monthly financial statements reflected $2,115,014 in general fund revenue and $818,103 in total expenditures. Plant operation expenses have increased substantially with the opening of a new school. The working budget for the 2007-2008 school year was reviewed and approved. The budget reflects $24,545,048 in general fund revenue with $23,465,242 with 68 percent of that going to salaries. On a motion by Sheeran, seconded by Cross, the board was unanimous in its approval of the 2007-2008 budget. CPA Susan Fackler will now submit it to the state.

Regular approval items included salary payrolls, accounts payable, construction fund payments and change orders. Change Order #4 for the MCHS auditorium and athletic addition was also approved. The main item on the change order is the underpinning of the existing gymnasium footing on a time-and-materials basis. The work was added in after it was learned the existing construction would not support the addition. Change Order #6 for Brandenburg Primary School included the extension of a retaining wall and credits for water line extension allowance and landscaping, resulting in a net credit to the school district of $310.

In other business, the board accepted the second reading of the board policy and approved fall fundraising projects for Meade County High School and Stuart Pepper Middle School. The board accepted the low bid of $228,400 from Gohmann Asphalt & Construction for the purpose of constructing a turning lane from Hwy 448 (Broadway) into Brandenburg Primary School. These costs will be reimbursed by the state. They also approved a contract with EnTECH which works with the schools and students in determining needs for assistive technology. This technology could be as simple as a pencil grip or as complex as computer-aided communication.

Crump advised the September luncheon of the Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce would be hosted by the Meade County School District and will be held at Brandenburg Primary School Sept. 20 at noon. He encouraged the board members to attend.

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