photo by: Journal-World

Lawrence Public Schools district offices pictured in April 2021.

The Lawrence school board will soon hear how its budget is shaping up for the new school year. But for the moment, district patrons are left to wonder whether the new budget will mean an increase in taxes.

The board on Monday will hear a report from Kathy Johnson, the district’s finance director, about the 2021-22 school year budget. The board will consider approving the maximum levels of budget authority and maximum mill levy for the school district. Details of the proposed budget were not available on Friday, as a written report was not included in the board’s agenda. That means information on whether the district’s property tax rate may increase is still unknown.

However, the district has been facing funding shortfalls over the last year because of a decline in enrollment associated with the coronavirus pandemic. It has led to the district taking action earlier in the year to shore up finances, including closing Kennedy Elementary School and moving its students to nearby schools. That move was estimated to save the district more than $700,000.

Additionally, the school board recently ratified a contract with the local teachers union without a general salary increase. The district and the union agreed to keep salaries flat because of the financial constraints, but also left open the possibility to reopen negotiations for pay increases in September when the district concludes its enrollment count, which dictates state funding.

After the budget report, the board will consider setting a public hearing on Sept. 13 to finalize the budget. That date would also include the newly required public hearing for exceeding the “revenue-neutral” rate.

The Kansas Legislature passed the new law, Senate Bill 13, in March. It requires governing bodies to notify their taxpayers and have a public hearing if they are going to consider a budget with a property tax rate increase or a flat property tax rate that results in property owners paying more in taxes because of an increase in assessed property value. Supporters said it would force local officials to be more open in making tax and budget decisions, The Associated Press reported.

However, Johnson previously told the board the law’s application to school districts is confounding, since school districts have less of a say over tax rates to generate revenue than other government bodies. The majority of school funding comes from the state’s K-12 public education funding formula, which includes some statutory tax rates for school districts to impose that are established by the Kansas Legislature.

“I don’t know why the school districts got brought into the bill,” Johnson said.

The school board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the new boardroom at the district offices, 110 McDonald Drive. The meeting is open to the public, but the district may limit attendance because of the pandemic.

Those who attend will be required to wear masks. The district also encourages the public to watch the meeting on Midco channel 26 or online at youtube.com/USD497.

Those who want to speak during public comments but won’t attend the meeting can still do so. The district asks for comments to be sent by email to PublicComment@usd497.org. Comments can also be emailed to board members ahead of the meeting. Their contact information is available on the district’s website at usd497.org/Board.