Region 15 Board Unanimously Approves 2.8% Budget Increase

The Region 15 Board of Education unanimously approved an increased budget proposal Monday night, April 8, setting the stage for a referendum vote next month.

The budget, a $61.95 million proposal, or a 2.82% increase from the previous year, was approved unanimously, according to school officials.

This is the first budget increase in Region 15 in three years. The region has had a flat increase the past two years, and proposals of $60,251,578 have passed referendum with ease twice.

Last year’s budget saw spending increases in salaries, insurance and transportation, from the previous year. The budget remained flat though, due to reductions in facilities and instructional costs, along with a large reduction in tuition costs from the 2011-12 fiscal year.

This year’s budget is designed to address declining enrollment, full day kindergarten, school security, information technology, and to prepare the district for Common Core State Standards and Smarter Balanced Assessments, according to the region.

Offsets to the proposed budget increases include the elimination of the mid-day kindergarten bus run, staff reductions, the technology lease program and reductions in medical insurance costs.

The budget will now head to referendum on Wednesday, May 8. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.