Middleton trustees approve measure to place $2.48 million supplemental levy on November ballot

The Middleton School District Board of Trustees voted to place a proposed supplemental levy resolution on the November ballot that would authorize up to $2,476,900 for the district over a two-year period. The board approved the resolution after staff and legal counsel reviewed required ballot language and the district's estimated taxpayer impact.

The proposal funds recurring operating needs including certificated positions, classified staff, curriculum adoption, extracurricular transportation, technology device replacement and expanded school security. The district presented a taxpayer-impact calculation required by state law and said the figure is a worst-case scenario based on current assessed value and current state offsets.

Board financial staff said using the district's current assessed value the levy would add about $58 per $100,000 of assessed value; on Middleton's median home (assessed after homeowner's exemption for that disclosure), that amounts to about $239 annually under current conditions. Presenters noted state school-facility funds that offset local levies are likely to increase and could substantially reduce the local impact; staff said they expect statewide facility-fund increases and will report updated figures to the board when the state publishes certified amounts.

Trustees and staff discussed how the additional levy dollars would be allocated. Superintendent Eric Gee and other administrators told the board the district adjusted the levy request to account for inflation since the district last ran the supplemental and to cover increased costs for certified positions, curriculum adoption, pay-to-participate subsidies, classroom supplies and maintenance. The proposal also includes funding to expand the district's private security officer program to middle and high schools and a $250,000 technology category to replace aging student devices primarily at the secondary level.

Board attorney Brandon from Holly & Troxell reviewed the legal resolution and explained the election paperwork the county clerk will publish. Staff noted the ballot disclosure must use current assessed values and present a worst-case tax impact; the board may not change that legally required disclosure although staff will inform community members if the state facility-fund amount is later certified higher than the figure used for the ballot.

Board members asked for and were told the district will confirm expected school-facility funding figures by the September board meeting so trustees and community members can discuss updated taxpayer impacts before the election. The board approved the supplemental-levy resolution for placement on the November ballot.