The board voted to approve a rate of 17.9 mills -- a rate that has applied since 2007. Each mill represents about $2 million in funding for the district, Chief Financial Officer Todd Hooper said at last week's board work session.
"This is the lowest the millage rate has been in this system, I think, for 13 years," Superintendent John Harper told board members prior to their vote. "Again, what you have directed me and my cabinet, with regard to the millage rate, is that we continue to drive it downward. We still hope in these economic times that we can do that even next year."
The board gave tentative approval to the unchanged millage rate last month as part of several budgetary measures. Board members then also approved a fiscal year 2011 budget of $114,158,102, down from the original FY2010 budget of $119,018,674 approved last year due to revenue drops and funding cuts.
The district will not have to budget any additional funds for a superintendent this fiscal year, as the board voted to keep Harper on as superintendent for another year along the terms of his current contract. The agreement will allow Harper to stay with the district through July 31, 2011, at his current annual salary of $145,000.
"Basically, with the rest of the board out, we decided to extend it as is," said Roger Maier, board vice chairman, adding that the board could revisit the contract at a later date once all members are present. The contract would still have been extended another year had the board not reviewed it and taken action, he added.
Only three of the five board members attended Monday's meeting.
Among other measures that met with board approval were the first readings of policy changes covering leaves and absences and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Assistant Superintendent Ben Desper last week said the policy amendments will not change any of the district's operations, but will consolidate policies and regulations and will make them easier to read.