Posted: Sept. 5, 2009

Mequon — Voters adopted a $40,807,637 2009-2010 levy for the Mequon-Thiensville School District at the annual meeting on Sept. 2. The levy is a 0.92 percent increase over the previous year, while the $55,389,686 all funds budget is a 0.86 percent increase from the prior year's budget of $54,919,572. The equalized tax rate will rise 34 cents to $8.82 per $1,000 of equalized value. The equalized property value in Mequon and Thiensville is estimated to decrease by 3 percent.

Although the increase was minimal, the vote to adopt was not unanimous. Superintendent of Schools Demond Means said the vote was 18-8.

"There was a good discussion between those who opposed the levy and the board," Means said. "They opposed it based on the fact there is an increase. In this day's economy, they don't believe there should be any increase."

Salaries and benefits make up 81.9 percent of the budget.

The projection for the 2010-2011 school year includes further reductions of teaching and support positions as the district continues to meet the challenges caused by declining resident enrollment.

 

- Mary Buckley