The Knoch School Board will not increase taxes as part of the budget for the 2024-25 school year.
During the Wednesday night school board meeting, board members approved general fund budget of nearly $39.7 million which is an increase of just over $1 million compared to the current year.
However they also rejected an administration recommended tax rate increase of 2 mils by a vote of 7 to 2. They then approved a motion to keep next year’s rate at 94.275 mils by the same margin.
At least one member voted against the increase because too many variables are unknown to be sure an increase is necessary.
The increase would have allowed the district to collect about $360,000 more in revenue next year so instead of using the general fund to make up a projected deficit of about $240,000, that deficit is now estimated to be nearly $600,000.
The main reason for the increase in expenses is the rising cost of providing healthcare coverage to employees. The last time Knoch increased their tax millage was 2017.
