If the board does adopt a budget that exceeds the allowable tax levy increase and at least 60 percent of the community does not approve it, a revote would most likely be held with a tax cap-compliant budget. If a revote is not taken, or if a revote were to fail, the district would pass a contingent budget that includes only teachers’ salaries and ordinary contingent expenses. There would be a cap on the administrative portion of the budget, with no increase in the tax levy over the prior year.

However, administrators and board members are hoping the community would approve a budget that exceeds the cap since it would still be a small increase. A tax levy increase of 1.49 percent, Heidenreich said, “is a very responsible budget.”

Heidenreich will make a budget presentation to the public at Tuesday’s board meeting to illicit feedback. The board will again discuss the budget at its March 4 committee meeting and could adopt a budget in mid-March or early April. The community will head to the polls on May 20 to vote on the budget.