Board approves 6.73% levy increase – Austin Daily Herald

During its meeting Monday night, the Austin Public Schools Board unanimously approved its recommended levy certification amount.

Board members gave the nod to a 6.73% increase or $720,591, raising the total levy to $11,424,682.

That’s a rise from last year’s levy certification amount of $10.7 million.

The total estimated school tax then will come in around $696 based on an average home value of $175,000. 

According to Executive Director of Finance and Operations Todd Lechtenberg, part of the rise in the levy this year has come down to lower state aid in some areas related to increased property values as assessed by the county. 

Final meeting for one

Also during its meeting Monday night, the board said goodbye to Evan Sorenson, who chose not to run for a second term this past November.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve students, staff, administration, Superintendent Page and the citizens of Austin,” Sorenson said during an address to the rest of the board. “We’ve accomplished several goals we should all be proud of.”

Sorenson added that his four years on the board has been especially eye-opening being on the decision-making side of the district.

“It’s incredible to see all the work behind the scenes …” he said. “It’s been a wonderful experience and something I will never forget.”