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Benjamin Logan Local Schools Board of Education discussed a $1 million reduction in spending plan if the 1.5 earned-income tax levy on the November ballot does not pass.
The levy’s cost is $1.50 for every $100 earned.
The board tasked Dave Harmon, superintendent, to bring them two reduction plans.
Options for the reduction plans discussed during Thursday evening’s special session for financial planning include a reduction of extended days, bussing only outside of the two-mile radius of the school, cutting air conditioning, implementing community bus stops and reconsidering pay-to-play options.
Changes in pay-to-play and bussing can take effect as early as Jan. 1, 2020.
The reduction plans will be presented at the next regular school board meeting on Oct. 21.
“These are reductions that are going to happen if the levy does not pass,” Harmon said.
The board also discussed implementing a new policy regarding school spending.
The new policy would make it so the district has to have 120 days, minimum, of cash value on-hand at all times — the current equivalent of $4.8 million.
“It’s a sustainable way of doing business,” Harmon said.
“This is your savings account if you need to tap into to pay your bills,” said Susan Allen, board president.
Allen questioned how long the district would have to have that amount of money on-hand before it decides to go back to the table to discuss lessening the levy for tax payers.
Tod Johnson, levy committee member and board of education member come January, agreed.
“Voters are going to ask at one point, ‘Are you going to be healthy enough (with this) to discuss lowering the tax,’” he said.
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