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McGuffey board adopts $35.99 million 2024–25 budget, sets tentative 14.87‑mill levy after debate
Summary
After extended debate on cyber‑charter costs, homestead relief eligibility and program capacity at the Western Area Career & Technology Center, the McGuffey School District board adopted a $35,987,941 budget for 2024–25 and scheduled a special meeting June 5 to finalize millage options.
The McGuffey School District board voted to adopt a final budget for the 2024–25 school year totaling $35,987,941 and set a proposed levy at 14.87 mills, following extended discussion about tax relief eligibility and spending pressures.
Board President said the administration had “done a great job in the last several years” but acknowledged the budget reflects hard choices. The adopted package includes a per‑capita and occupational tax structure listed in the agenda.
Members pressed administration for details about who would receive the homestead and farmstead exclusion and how many taxpayers would benefit. Administration said roughly 47% of property owners would receive a release tied to Washington County assessment office approvals and that about 53% would not, either because they did not apply or their assessed value fell below the eligibility threshold.
A central line of debate centered on the district’s cyber‑charter spending and grant timing. One director noted the district had “consistently paid between $1,000,000 and $1,800,000 on CyberSchool,” while also observing that cyber and charter providers receive significantly higher per‑pupil payments than the district’s per‑pupil operating cost. Board members urged constituents to contact state representatives about cyber‑charter funding rules.
The board also approved the Western Area Career & Technology Center proposed budget (totaling $6,245,470) with McGuffey’s contribution listed as $489,528.47, a decline of $33,664.74 from the prior request. That motion prompted questions about program capacity for cosmetology and whether contractual language required students to attend Western Area when capacity existed; administration said it would review the articles of agreement and clarify capacity provisions.
Because Act‑mandated advertising and filing timelines apply, the board scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. to consider three millage/budget options (no increase; increase by 0.5 mills; increase to the index) and directed the administration to publish required notices.
The adoption motion carried in the meeting record after deliberation and procedural roll‑call preparations.
