The Moose Lake School Board unanimously voted Monday, Sept. 21 to set the district's 2021 proposed levy to the maximum amount allowed by the state.
The levy is set to increase 20.35% after a decrease in 2019-2020 of 14.34%. The 2020 levy was $1.4 million, while the maximum for 2021 is $1.6 million, a difference of $277,868, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.
The levy amount is based on a variety of factors including the age of the district's facilities and the number of students. The board can lower the levy amount at a later date, but cannot increase it.
The 2019 decrease was due to the school switching from an old, high maintenance building to a new low maintenance building, said Kara Burn, business manager.
She added that last year the levy made up 15% of the district's total revenue.
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The levies are set two years in advance, Burn said. The 2021 levy will affect the school district's funding in the 2022-2023 school year.
Superintendent Billie Jo Steen said she expected 587 students to register for the 2020-2021 school year. However, 12 students switched to homeschooling, leaving 575 students registered for the current year. Burns said the district will lose about $8,000 per student in state funding for a total of $96,000.
The Truth in Taxation meeting is set for 6:01 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21.
