Treasurer outlines B-C-S revenue loss

A report by Anne Arnold to the Benton-Carroll-Salem school board was not what board members wanted to hear.

With a 3.9-mill emergency operating levy on Tuesday’s ballot, the board is hoping to avoid closing two more elementary schools in addition to Rocky Ridge Elementary School, which will be closed at the end of the school year as part of a re-alignment of the district due to a drop in enrollment.

Arnold reported Tuesday the district may lose up to $1.2 million in state funding for the 2012-13 school year.

The problem is the board had not factored that high of an amount when calculating how much millage to request from voters.

In addition to losing state foundation money, according to Arnold’s projections, the district may lose another $700,000 it would have received from the state’s “hold harmless” relief funding enacted when the state legislature began phasing out tangible personal property taxes and public utility taxes – two primary sources of revenue for schools.

“The relief funds were established to protect the local school districts from any ill effects of the legislation which is now being used to balance the state budget,” Arnold told the board.

Rick Bast, board president, said the additional loss of revenue will have to be offset by more spending cuts.

Road repair 
Sand Road in Ottawa County will be closed for resurfacing starting May 4. Work will begin at State Route 163 and end at W. Catawba Road, with one-way traffic being maintained.

The project is expected to be completed by May 27.

Election board session
The Ottawa County Board of Elections will be in special session all day May 3 to conduct the elections for the Benton-Carroll-Salem and Woodmore local school districts. The meeting will be held at the board office, 8444 W. State Route 163, Oak Harbor.

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