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.
Local News
Baxter Springs school board approves budget
- Local News
-
-
FTC program gains support from national foundation
For Joplin High School junior Drew Holle, taking auto classes at Franklin Technology Center is a family affair. “My dad went here, my brother went here and now I’m here,” Holle said. “I’ve always been into it. My dad owns his own shop. It’s just something I’ve watched him do, so now I want to learn.”
-
City official: SEMA rejects helping individuals pay for safe rooms
Joplin officials were notified Friday by the State Emergency Management Agency that individual storm shelters will not be funded, but a spokesman said that $20 million will be earmarked to build community safe rooms in Joplin schools or elsewhere.
-
Racial slur written on door of church that holds Spanish-language service
When Pastor Greg Earl arrived at Mission of Encouragement Church about 11:30 a.m. last Saturday to do work with his food pantry, he was shocked by what he saw.
-
Lake-business owners worry about any plan to tap Stockton
Two Stockton Lake business owners said their questions were answered Friday about reports that water from the lake might be piped to Joplin at some point in the future.
-
Masonite to add 65 new jobs in Pittsburg
Masonite is expanding its exterior door and glass insert manufacturing plants in Pittsburg, and company officials anticipate a growth of about 65 jobs.
-
Three JHS seniors finalists for national scholarship program
Three Joplin High School seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Siri Ancha, Michelle Barchak and Derek Carter are now among the 15,000 finalists who will be narrowed down to 8,300 winners for corporate-sponsored, college-sponsored and National Merit $2,500 scholarships in the next few months.
-
Play’s issues remain relevant
It’s performed by one of the smallest casts in recent Pittsburg Community Theatre history, but “The Glass Menagerie” will be no less impactful, says director Linden Little.
-
Mike Pound: In case you haven’t heard, Super Bowl is Sunday
If you are reading this on Saturday morning, then you are probably aware that the Super Bowl pre-game show is now in hour number 173. By now, profiles of every person who has ever played in the NFL have been completed and aired.
-
Webb City school official cites Bright Futures reception
Webb City Assistant Superintendent Kevin Cooper pointed to a recent request on the district’s Bright Futures Facebook page as an example of how the community has embraced the new program.
-
Brunner’s wealth would rank high in US Senate
St. Louis businessman John Brunner has already poured at least $1 million into his U.S. Senate campaign.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
