Madison Local adopts tax budget; district says about 17 positions estimated to be affected in $3M reduction plan

The Madison Local Board of Education voted to adopt the district's tax budget and heard administrators describe the local financial outlook and expected staffing consequences as the district seeks $3,000,000 in reductions.

A presenter summarized the tax-budget figures required for the county budget commission: inside millage of 4.85 and voted outside millage of 50.42 for a total general-fund millage of 55.27, estimated to yield $13,198,568 for the year. Debt-service millage of 2.92 mills was estimated to bring $1,695,821; the permanent-improvement fund (1 mill) was estimated at $190,872; a classroom-facilities levy of 1.5 mills was estimated at $178,897. Total estimated revenues across these sources were presented as $15,264,158, with total debt obligations of $1,835,750. The presenter noted the tax-budget document must be submitted to the county budget commission by January 20.

After the presentation, the board moved and adopted the tax budget on roll-call vote. Administrators said they will meet with affected staff and hold community meetings to discuss the reductions and the budget process.

On staffing impact, a district official said the current plan to reach the $3,000,000 goal will affect about 17 people, a number that includes both full-time and part-time positions. "I think in total, there were 17 people impacted," the presenter said, adding the district worked to reduce the number of staff positions compared with what state-recommended cuts might have required. The presenter said the district also looked for many small savings that add up, rather than relying solely on staff cuts.

The board approved the tax budget and other consent items and set next steps for public meetings and internal staff briefings before presenting any final personnel recommendations at a subsequent board meeting.