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McKENZIE (June 18) — The McKenzie Special School District Board of Education met Tuesday with a standard summer agenda, including approval of the budget and tax rates for the 2019-20 fiscal year.
The tax rate of $1.277 per $100 assessed property value was approved unanimously. Director of Schools Lynn Watkins noted the rate has remained unchanged since 1997. Tax revenues are distributed between the General Fund ($.7256) and Debt Service Fund ($.5514).
The $11,848,402 approved budget is slightly smaller than last year and includes a two percent across-the-board raise and $1,000 Christmas bonus for all district employees. Food service employees will receive a four percent raise.
Estimated revenues and other funds total $11,553,383: $9,201,491 to the General Purpose Fund; $848,977 to the Federal Projects Fund; $774,300 to the Central Cafeteria Fund; and $728,615 to the Debt Service Fund.
Estimated expenditures total $11,848,402: $9,337,620 from the General Purpose Fund; $848,977 from the Federal Projects Fund; $792,090 from the Central Cafeteria Fund; and $869,718 from the Debt Service Fund.
The deficit of $295,022 will come from reserve funds, leaving an estimated $2,623,519 in reserves at the end of the fiscal year.
The 2019-20 salary schedule includes a starting salary of $38,350 for a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s. Each additional level of education and year of service increases the salary, with a 20-year teacher with a Doctorate earning $63,820.
Of McKenzie’s 101 instructors, 39 have at least 20 years of experience, and 45 hold at least a master’s.