SUCCESS FOR VBS!
VAN BUREN LEVY
OUR KIDS, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR FUTURE
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation."
Mr. Rogers
Why is this NEEDED NOW?
Why do the Van Buren Local Schools need a levy?
The current property tax is set to expire without the renewal of this levy. The 4-year levy will be used for operating expenses within the district.
Why is the levy important for students and the community?
This levy will continue to provide the revenue necessary to maintain the high quality education provided to our students at Van Buren Local Schools. Unfunded mandates from the state continue to cause a financial burden on the district. These mandates, in addition to COVID-19 related funding reductions continue to chip away at the money available for our district and our students.
ADDRESS BUDGET SHORTFALLS
Even after aggressive reductions in spending, the district is deficit spending by $1.3 million this year.
Since 2011, federal funding per pupil for Van Buren Schools decreased by 40%, while state funding as a % of total revenues fell from 35% to 26% of revenues. These losses must be absorbed by the district’s general fund budget to cover mandated services - many of which are unfunded - shifting the school funding burden to local taxpayers.
WHAT TYPE OF LEVY AND HOW MUCH?
This levy is a property tax. The rate will be $1.275 million per year for 4 years. The cost per property owner will fluctuate based on the property values within the district.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FAILS?
Failure to find additional revenue will have a drastic impact on our educational programming. The
Board of Education and administration will have to make decisions for the next budget on reductions
that will have a direct impact on student education. This includes cutting teachers and course
opportunities for students.
what the LEVY WILL DO
The passage of this levy will help to maintain programs and services provided to our students. The money from this levy will also pay for buses and utilities.
