School levy up for vote Monday

Residents of the Shawano School District have their say next week on the district’s proposal to increase property tax collections by $140,000 this school year. The district’s annual meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St., Shawano. All residents aged 18 or older can participate in an advisory vote on the proposed $13.1 million property tax levy to fund schools in the 2015-16 school year. Administrators propose to increase the levy about $140,000 from last year, which they attribute to rising property values within the district. Although final figures have not been released yet, the state has forecast increases of as much as 6 percent for some areas of the school district. The tax rate for Shawano schools is expected to change little from its current level of $10.34 per $1,000 of equalized valuation, which translates to a school property tax bill of $1,034 for the owner of a $100,000 home. School Board President Tyler Schmidt said he expects to hear little debate Monday about the tax levy or the district’s 2015-16 budget. “It’s a pretty standard and basic budget,” he said. Spending in the district would total $26.7 million under the proposal — down slightly from last year — and would include a 2 percent pay raise for employees as well as $500,000 in capital improvements for the middle school. The school board is scheduled to take final action on the budget next month, after updated property value figures and student enrollment numbers are available. The budget is unrelated to a Nov. 3 district-wide referendum authorizing officials to spend another $9.25 million on renovations and upgrades to the middle school. Also on the agenda for Monday’s regular school board meeting is a closed-door session to discuss Superintendent Gary Cumberland’s contract with the district. The regular board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, also at the middle school. Schmidt said he anticipates strong reviews for the superintendent’s performance entering his third year on the job. “There won’t be any surprises there,” Schmidt said. “We are very, very pleased with Gary.”