2.34% decrease in preliminary tax levy

At the September 22 Waseca school board meeting, business manager Elizabeth Beery presented information regarding the 2023 property tax levy, which will generate revenue for the 2023-2024 school year. The slide show Beery presented offered some good news: the Waseca community may be looking at a 2.34%, or about $122,000, decrease from the previous year. The board was asked to approve and certify the preliminary maximum property tax levy, and will approve the final levy in December. A “truth in taxation” meeting regarding the amounts will be Thursday, December 15, 2022 in the Central Building second-floor conference room. Beery shared with the board that factors affecting property taxes include changes in market values and class rates, changes in the enrollment and resident populations of the school district, changes in the contribution from the state, and voter approval or disapproval. After Beery’s presentation, board chair Julie Anderson commented that it is “nice to follow up a higher year with a lower one.”

Also discussed were the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school calendars. Superintendent Eric Hudspith stated that not much feedback was received regarding the proposed calendars when the information was dispersed at the beginning of the year, but attributed that to poor timing. He stated the calendars will be placed on the school website, on social media, and in a direct parent message with the hope that the board will receive more feedback before voting on the proposed calendars in October.