The Christian County School Board elected to not hold a special election for the proposed ‘nickel tax’ rate increase at Thursday’s meeting and approved a tentative budget for school year 2019-20.
The board decided to let the question of whether the citizens approve or disapprove of a property tax rate increase be on the general election ballot in November, instead of holding a special election. A special election would have cost approximately $70,000.
When putting forth the motion to wait until the general election, member Tom Bell said he would like to use the time to garner support for the nickel tax and save the money that would have been spent.
Board member Sue Hayes argued that waiting until November will lose the district around $2.2 million in revenue that they could have been collecting in that time. In the end, it was voted 3 to 2 to put it on the November ballot, with Hayes and Linda Keller voting no. The items on the agenda to consider a rescission of the nickel tax and to file a complaint and challenge the validity of the petition protesting the nickel both died due to inaction.
In other action, a tentative $85 million budget was approved for next school year, which Director of Business Jessica Darnell says includes reinstating step increases for teachers.
Board members received on update on the Gateway Academy Breathitt Center renovations, which are currently on track to be completed on time and with no reported complications.