Trego's Mountain Ear

With taxable valuations now tentatively available, schools are publishing estimates of changes in the levies that no one other than the school board gets to vote on. Just in time for school board elections (Election Day: May 6th).

It’s notable that these are estimates. They are not set in stone, and will not be finalized until the school budget meetings are held. What this means is that taxpayers with concerns have time to vote their wallets with regards to the upcoming school board election, and also to make their thoughts known to the board well in advance of the budget meeting.

Also notable is that none of these “permissive” levies are in the general fund. The uses of these funds are all very specifically defined by state law. For example, the transportation levy cannot be used to pay a classroom teacher- it can’t even be used for field trips. It is explicitly for expenses associated with transporting students to and from school.