Decorah School Board approves 2012-13 budget

The Decorah Community School Board approved the 2012-13 budget at their Monday night meeting. There was no public comment at the public hearing preceding the action.

The budget calls for just over $39 million in spending.  Under the budget, property taxes for school purposes would be $16.1807 per $1,000 of assessed property. This is down roughly 53 cents from last year, due, in part, to an increased ceiling on the "income surtax" portion of the Instructional Support Levy.  Decorah School Superintendent Mike Haluska said the change spreads the taxes out on a more equitable basis.  

Also there will be a decrease in the Management Levy Fund, largely due to the district having met some "cash settlement" commitments associated with recent early retirement programs.