VWSD proposes .28 millage increase over last year

The Vicksburg-Warren School District held a public budget hearing on Thursday evening, where they reviewed a proposed budget that could lead to increased taxes for Warren County residents.

The budget projection anticipates over $126 million in revenue, $34.6 million of which is federal ESSER funding, with just under $90 million in expenditures.

Local funding makes up 26% of the budgeted revenue at $33.2 million.

Funds are allocated to individual schools based on a per student methodology in compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Principals and directors are responsible for managing the individual budgets for each school.

The proposed budget includes teacher pay raises of $4,500 for licensed personnel and $2,000 in all other non-licensed hourly scales. Additional funds are allocated for 12 new positions, including a teacher assistant each for Bovina Elementary and RCEC, two special education staff and eight student resource officers.

Other notable expenses include $76 thousand for repairs to the gym floor at Bowmar Elementary and three new air conditioned buses.

The requested millage estimate increased in the proposed budget to 66.67, up 0.28 from last year’s 66.39. These numbers were provided by the school district and are intended only to illustrate the district’s estimated effect on taxes. The final millage rate is determined by the Warren County Board of Supervisors based on final assessed valuation and homestead exemption.

Superintendent Shealy will continue to work with the board and his team to fine-tune and finalize the budget over the next few weeks. The Board of Trustees is expected to to approve the final budget and adopt the Ad Valorem Resolution in July.