By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — The Baxter Springs Board of Education has approved a 2009-2010 budget reflecting a reduction in spending and a small increase in taxes.

Total spending in the budget is $13,812,438, compared with $13,842,543 in 2008-09. General fund spending in the 2009-2010 budget is $6,761,454, down from $7,342,540 in 2008-09.

The property tax rate increased from 41.091 mills in 2008-09 to 41.246 mills in 2009-2010.

Superintendent Dennis Burke on Friday said the tax increase is the result of the board approving a slight increase in the district’s supplemental general fund, also called the local-option budget. That increased from $1,990,346 in 2008-09 to $2,025,000 in 2009-2010.

Burke said a $536 million state budget shortfall has been predicted, and the school board is trying to prepare for further cuts from the state.

“We wanted to be able to use our authority to build up those cash reserves,” Burke said. He said the cuts may be even larger than those imposed by the state during the past school year.

Under the 2009-2010 tax levy, the owner of a house inside the school district with a market value of $100,000 would pay property taxes to support the school budget totaling $428.33. That’s $1.78 more than the homeowner paid toward the school budget this year.

The figures don’t include city, county or state property taxes.

Back at it

Pupils returned to school in Baxter Springs on Wednesday, Superintendent Dennis Burke said.