The Carmi White County School Board held their final meeting of the year with just two main items to discuss: Truth in Taxation and the District Audit. Scott Mareing was there and has this report…
A Truth in Taxation hearing was held 15 minutes prior to the regularly scheduled meeting, in which Superintendent Jerrod Newell gave the reasons for the request for the tax increase. He noted that the district has a $22 million education budget. Because of state and federal uncertainties, the district doesn’t know what monies will be available for them down the line. From what they’re been able to learn, they will receive flat or reduced funding for years to come. The school district’s tax rate has been reduced from 3.83 to 3.02 since 2021, but the district can’t predict or control changes. The tax levy request is 34% more than the previous year’s tax extension, which is why the Truth in Taxation hearing was required. By the way, there were four members of the public in attendance with only one asking a question. He wanted to know if there is any end in sight with the tax increases. Superintendent Newell and Board President Whetstone both said it’s hard to know due to the state’s murky funding situation and the federal government dismantling of the Department of Education being the main factors.
The Truth in Taxation hearing adjourned at 6:16 PM and the regular meeting began at 6:18 PM.
In unfinished business, the board unanimously approved the 2025 tax levy.
The only New Business item was the Annual Audit from Dartt & Company. A representative of the firm was unable to attend the meeting, so Superintendent Newell gave a brief review. The audit covers the Fiscal Year running from July 1 2024 to June 30 2025. The district received the highest possible score for an audit in the state, 4.0. And it was noted that the district is in strong financial shape. No action from the board on the audit was needed.
The Consent Agenda was approved. It included final approval on changes to 36 board policies and accepted a donation of $160,000 from the Absher Foundation to Carmi-White County School District #5.
In the Superintendent’s report, Jerrod Newell said the Music Department and District Staff have held and will hold several concerts and programs this month and thanked everyone for their efforts. He also said that school will be closed from Monday, December 22nd through Thursday, January 1st. Staff will return for an in-service day on Friday, January 2nd, and students will return on Monday, January 5th.
The board went into Closed Session at 6:32 PM to discuss personnel and a review of closed session minutes and audio tapes.
During the closed session of the CWC School Board meeting, the board approved the resignation of LaChrisha Essary as a Lincoln Attendance Center individual aide, and the retirement of Nancy Russell. Pending background checks, there were four employments: Madison Strong as an early childhood classroom aide at Lincoln Attendance Center, Kooper Buchanan as an individual aide at Jefferson Attendance Center, Jamie Burzynski as head junior high volleyball coach, and Jessica Smith as an assistant junior high volleyball coach. They also approved Ryan Williams as a volunteer for 6th grade girls basketball volunteer.