HBI

Dalton Walker
dwalker@harrisburginfo.com

March 08. 2010 10:00PM

Working to meet financial demands through a funding system that doesn’t meet its needs, the Harrisburg District has decided to extend its opt-out for another five years.

The district can opt-out by as much as $1.2 million annually for the next five years beginning on property taxes that are payable in 2011. An opt-out resolution was passed at Monday’s board meeting.

The $1.2 million cap is up from $700,000 five years ago due to additional evaluations in the district, Superintendent Jim Holbeck said.

District leaders explained that the current state funding formula doesn’t match Harrisburg’s growth. They also stressed that taxes for property owners will not exceed the current $12 per thousand levy.

“To make sure our public is clear, we’re not intending to raise taxes,” board member Eric Wallace said.

Even though Harrisburg can get as much as $1.2 million, the district will only take as much is needed to balance future budgets, Holbeck said, which more than likely will not be the entire amount.

The exact amount will not be known until later this year, Holbeck added.

In South Dakota, Harrisburg spent the third least per student in 2008-09, according to recent figures released by the Department of Education.

The school district spent $6,445 per student during that period. Tea Area spent the least with $5,793 followed by Brandon Valley at $6,232.

On example of district growth is that Harrisburg expects to graduate 94 seniors while bringing in between 250-260 new kindergarten students next year. The district registered about 235 youngsters recently at its annual kindergarten registration.

“Our state funding formula doesn’t treat all schools the same,” Holbeck said. “Growth schools like Harrisburg are in a terrible situation. Our schools could not offer our programs today without an opt-out.”

However, district voters can have final say if the district does opt-out.

Registered voters can force a public vote by filing a petition with at least 5 percent of eligible voters by March 30, 20 days after the opt-out resolution is to be published.
If enough signatures are gathered, an election will take place in early May. If the public votes down the opt-out, Holbeck said the district will be forced to make cuts to balance the budget.