A public letter from USD 505-Chetopa Superintendent Kim Juenemann calls a bill currently under consideration by the Kansas Legislature “quite bluntly and frankly, the end of our district.”
Juenemann sent the emailed letter to dozens of employees, vendors and others associated with the district after learning about Substitute For House Bill 2739 which could be considered as early as today (Wednesday).
“HB 2739 will require our district to raise, by board action for school year 2010-2011 and by election for school year 2011-2012, the mill levy by 22.14 mills while at the same time will cause our district to lose $120,903,” Juenemann wrote.
“There is very little chance that our patrons would pass such a mill levy increase even if they could afford it which they cannot. We have already cut and cut, removing programs, services and staff. There is little left to cut,” Juenemann said in the letter.
The superintendent, whose district also includes St. Paul, said HB 2739 is inequitable and unfair to the poorest of the state’s districts.
She urges all local citizens to contact their legislators in Topeka in opposition to this bill, HB 2739.
Juenemann said this bill is being touted as “no new taxes” by House leadership, but in reality, it will raise USD 505 taxes considerably while at the same time reducing its funding.
The USD 505 district is the second highest hit with Galena being in first place. “In order to maintain current level budget, we would have to increase our levy by 22.14 mills,” Juenemann said. “This may be grandfathered in, but it will require an election to continue it after school year 2011-2012. Do you really think that our district would pass a mill levy increase of such magnitude?”
She fears that since the House leadership is pushing this plan, it should be taken extraordinarily seriously.
“It is imperative that everyone contact their representatives,” Juenemann said.
The Kansas State Department of Education has prepared a summary of this bill as well as two additional computer printouts which can be obtained on the School Finance website: <http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=119>.