THEDFORD – Voters in the Thedford Public School District are receiving ballots in the mail this week for a special election to increase the district’s tax request authority.
The district is asking for the ability to make a one time increase to its property tax authority by $1 million for next year. Because that increase exceeds the amount allowed under state law it must be approved by voters.
Superintendent Blake Dahlberg said the district has reduced its tax request over the last five years, but revenue has not been able to keep up with expenses. He added that compared to similar sized schools, Thedford’s spending ranks near the bottom.
The district’s current general fund levy is about $0.57 per $100 of valuation. That amount would increase to roughly the $0.70 to $0.80 range that it was at before the district began making cuts.
Dahlberg emphasized that if approved they would likely not actually ask for the full $1 million increase.
The district is continuing to cut costs by not filling three teaching positions and one non-teaching position for the upcoming school year. Dahlberg said if the ballot measure fails the district may have to consider further cuts to staffing and non-mandatory programs.
Ballots were mailed to registered voters in the district this week. Those who are not registered but would like to vote in the special election have until the end of the day this Friday to register by mail or until June 28 to register in person.
All ballots must be returned to the Thomas County Election Office by 5 p.m. on July 9.
