Freeport School District budget passes

Residents in the Freeport Public School District voted to approve the district’s $188 million budget for the 2020-21 school year, by 2,754 to 1927, on June 16.   

Along with the district’s budget, voters approved raising the tax levy cap to 2.92 percent, the first time the district has increased the cap after lowering it for the past five years. 

Despite significant cuts from the state due to the economic impact of Covid-19, the budget allows the school to maintain its current staff and academic programs. 

“We are grateful to our community for their continued confidence and support,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham “Our children are our future, and we will continue to do all we can to provide the skills they need to be successful.”

Voters also passed the $2.5 million Capital Reserves Proposition No. 3; 3,588 to 930, which would allow the district to spend the capital reserve funds on several renovations projects throughout the district. 

In the race to fill two seats on the district’s Board of Education, residents re-elected incumbents Vilma Lancaster with 2,897 votes and Ronald Ellerbe with 2,739 votes. 

Voters also approved the Freeport Memorial Library’s estimated $6.5 million budget by 2,917 to 1,730.