School Board approves 2010-11 budget

The Decorah Community School Board approved its proposed 2010-11 budget of $24,829,655 at their Monday night meeting. No comments from the public were received at the budget hearing held prior to the meeting.

School officials had originally talked about needing to raise school property taxes around 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.  But the state legislature fully funded the two percent allowable growth rate formula and also made up some of last year's 10-percent across-the-board cut – about $202,000 for the Decorah District.  That means the Decorah school mill rate will stay at $15.83 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. It also means the district will be able to operate with a $685,000 cash reserve.