Superintendent's Report

8-14-2023

Once again, the summer has passed by very quickly and we are looking forward to the first day of school on Monday, August 14th. Beginning Wednesday, August 9th all staff will return to school and begin preparations for the 2023-24 school year.

At the August board meeting the trustees will adopt budgets for the 2023-24 school year. The district already knows the monetary amount to operate their general fund at the elementary and high school. However, we do not know the number of mills needed to generate this revenue. During the first week of August the county assessor’s office will give us the taxable valuation for the elementary and high school district. Once the district receives the taxable valuation we then determine the number of mills needed to generate the budget (a mill is 1/1000 of the taxable valuation). Keep in mind your school district has other funds that are reflected in your tax bill, predominately your transportation fund. Also, many school districts assess additional levies in their technology, building, and tuition funds which we do not.

Your school district has made a conscious effort to keep the levied mills as constant as possible. Ten years ago, your school district levied 171.08 mills compared to only 115.93 last year. Since a mill is 1/1000 of the taxable valuation, the amount one mill generates can vary from year to year as the taxable valuation fluctuates. I would expect the number of mills could increase slightly depending on our taxable valuation. However, any increase is already partially offset since the district will utilized part of their Federal COVID ESSER III revenue to finance part of your general fund budget.

We are looking forward to educating the youth of Powder River County and as always, feel free to stop by the school at any time.