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Adult education seeks higher mill levy as leaders outline program cuts, reserves and staffing needs
Summary
Adult-education representatives asked trustees to consider raising the district’s adult-education mill levy from 1.5 to 2 mills, citing falling reserves, operating deficits and loss of a full director; trustees voted to propose the change in the district budget.
Representatives of the district’s adult-education program asked the Fremont County School District #2 board to consider increasing the adult-education mill levy from 1.5 mills to 2 mills to stabilize operations and maintain services.
Brad, speaking for the adult education program, said reserves have fallen below a recommended one-year operating reserve and that the program’s cash-on-hand has declined to the point leaders are considering staffing reductions. “Our funds are getting down to where we have less than 1 year — 1 year's budget in our reserve at this point,” Brad said. He told trustees the program has trimmed expenses and is reworking staffing but continues to face a structural shortfall.
Trustees discussed the program’s recent staffing changes: the program is operating without a full director and has cut or restructured other positions; officials said they aim to keep key services (including the cyber cafe and community help-hours) but may need to reduce hours if additional revenue is not secured. Brad described the local “cyber cafe” services as heavily used by community members who come for help with email, tax and unemployment forms and urged the board to weigh the community impact of reduced hours.
The adult-education representative explained the mill levy mechanics: a 0.5‑mill increase (from 1.5 to 2.0 mills) would cost a homeowner — after state homeowner exemptions — roughly $50 per year on a half‑million‑dollar house, depending on assessed value. The program projects that 2 mills would raise program revenue closer to historical levels, but speakers warned that state changes to assessed valuations and homeowner exemptions complicate projections.
Board members asked for details on the program’s current operating reserves and staffing. Brad said the program’s cash-on-hand equates to roughly 8–10 months of reserves under current projections and that program leaders are prioritizing continuity of core services while seeking grant funding and possible operational changes. Trustees voted to include the requested mill rate change in the draft budget documents and later approved the proposed 2025–26 mill levies as presented (board motion and vote recorded 5–0, 2 absent).
