School district approve tax levy, expects changes

Numbers presented during Wauwatosa School District’s budget hearing Monday did not provide a very clear picture, due to many unknowns regarding the state budget.
But the School Board unanimously approved the 2009-10 budget because it is required to have one in place by July 1.
As of right now, the budget calls for a $43.4 million property tax levy, an 8.59 percent increase over the $40 million levy for the current budget. Property tax rates would increase to $8.09 per $1,000 of equalized property value, a hike of 64 cents per $1,000 of value.
The tax increase stems from an anticipated $1.5 million drop in state aid, said John Mack, district business services director.
He estimates the actual tax levy will come in a lower, at about a 5 percent increase, after the state approves its budget.
At this time, school officials said they do not foresee having to make any layoffs or significant cutbacks, but they are coming up with options to reduce the budget if the state’s budget results in less funding than anticipated.