March 28, 2024

Bottom line on the school levy

On Sept. 13, our community will be asked to vote on a bond proposal for a new middle school campus. When I talk to parents and others in the community, I hear many comments both positive and negative. There are those who understand and support the proposed bond, and state they don’t want to see an increase but fully understand the logic of building new versus re-building a 50-year old structure.

Others mention they cannot afford any raise in taxes. Everyone has their own opinion about the bond and rightfully so. Regardless of your current position on this issue, many truly do not have a clear understanding of the change taxes would entail. The main reason I am writing in is to offer facts to the community and provide resources for further research.

These are the facts regarding the change in taxes and how it could affect you. The total project cost will require a tax levy to generate $26.9 million. If successful the referendum will raise debt service from $2.62 to $2.70 per $1000. To explain the impact of this debt service per year: $50,000 home x .556259= $27,812.95 is taxable value x $2.70/$1,000 = 75.09 in taxes. This would be an increase of $2.22 over the 2016-2017 tax rate. $100,000 home x .556259.90 is taxable value x $2.70/$1,000 tax rate = $150.19 in taxes. This would be an increase of $4.45 over the 2016-2017 tax rate. Note this change is for an entire year’s taxation. The increase on $150,000 home would be $6.67 per year.

If you would like more facts regarding how the tax will affect you and your family, please visit preservethepride.com. This is great resource that you can share with other members of our community.

Casey Price

Newton