Bowling Green eyes school budget cuts, tax increase

Bowling Green school administrators are making cuts and seeking a tax increase, and that’s just the beginning.
More reductions are likely, and could include additional jobs.
The school board trimmed about $235,000 by eliminating three staff positions, reducing the athletic budget and making other cuts.
“Right now, the board’s goal is to try not to cut any programs or staff that will affect our students directly,” said Superintendent Michael Gray. “If (the ballot issue) doesn’t pass and we have to reduce further, we will have to get into areas that directly affect kids.”
The tax rate now is $3.26 per $100 assessed valuation. The 60-cent increase would bring in almost $524,000.
Even if voters approve the measure, Gray said Bowling Green’s rate would be below all but one of eight nearby school districts.
A person with a home valued at $50,000 would pay $57 more in school taxes per year. The higher cost would be $108 for farm land valued at $150,000. Commercial properties worth $150,000 would see an increase of $288.
Gray admits the proposal will be a hard sell.
“The economy makes it very tough to pass a tax increase,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that our need hit at this time.”
The district also is looking at other cost savings, including a plan to boost enrollment at Frankford Elementary. The school has 77 students now and can hold up to 140.
By adding kids at Frankford, the district could save $80,000 to $120,000 by eliminating several teaching jobs at the grade school in Bowling Green.
Gray said parents would voluntarily be asked to send their kids to Frankford.
“We’re willing to work with the parents to make this go,” he said.
If enough volunteers aren’t found, Gray said the board would have to look at “another method” that could include moving attendance center boundaries.
The district hopes to trim more than $800,000 to stay out of the red. A rise in salaries, an increase in costs and financial obligations are to blame for the budget crisis.