Island Trees Schools Budget Voter's Guide

Residents will hit the polls Tuesday to vote on the Island Trees School District's adopted budget of $59,177,477, which comes with a tax levy of 2.29 percent and an estimated annual school tax increase of $131 per household.

The budget is made up of three components: Program ($46,790,371 or 79.07 percent), Capital ($7,349,862, 12.42 percent) and Administrative ($5,037,244, 8.51 percent).

The budget includes the elimination of one school bus for $70,000 and the reduction of staffing due to lower enrollment, which saves $280,000. The reduction of staffing will not change programs or services, according to Charles Murphy, Superintendent of Schools.

Barbara Medellin and Kristen Daum are incumbents running unopposed for two school board seats.   

“When the budget development process began, the Board of Education faced a tremendous gap due to a significant increase in state mandated pension contributions, $1.4 million, for the upcoming year,” the school board said in the budget newsletter.

“Despite the financial challenges, the  Board was able to develop a school budget which preserves our quality programs and services in these unprecedented economic times.”  

Voting takes place Tuesday, noon to 9 p.m. at Stokes Elementary School. Stay with Levittown Patch for results.