The Red Clay Consolidated School District Board of Education voted to increase 2011 fiscal year taxes by 1.3 cents at a July 7 meeting.
The current expense tax rate was increased by 5 cents, which had been approved through a 2008 referendum. However, due to reduced expenditures, the district was able to lower the tax rate for tuition, debt service and minor capital improvements.
Current expense, which comprises 73 percent of the total tax rate, pays for general operating expenses.
The tax rate for 2011 will be $1.687 per $100 of assessed home value, up from the $1.674 in 2010 and $1.624 in 2009.
The average homeowner in Red Clay will see a $9.55 increase in their school tax bills, nearly 75 percent lower than the projected $38 increase.
"Through sound fiscal management, the district was able to lower three tax rates for the coming year while keeping services at the same level," said Superintendent Merv Daugherty.
The tuition tax rate fell 2 cents, debt service decreased 1 cent and the minor capital improvement fell 0.8 cents.
The increased operating expense taxes will go toward funding full day kindergarten, after school activities and clubs, school budget increases, new textbook adoption, technology replacement and operational cost increases, said Jill Floore, chief financial officer.
More than $1 million of the new revenue will be funneled into operational cost increases, while $400,000 will go toward new textbooks, $200,000 toward technology and $100,000 into library book replacement.
The preliminary budget will be presented at the board’s Aug. 18 meeting, to be held at Warner Elementary School at 7:30 p.m.
