On Tuesday, November 5th, residents of the Hudson R-IX school district will be asked to approve a 71 cent school tax levy increase. This will raise the current school levy, which was set in 1997, from $3.78 to $4.49. This will bring the Hudson R-IX levy more in-line with the tax levies of surrounding districts: Ballard - $5.01, Butler - $4.75, Hume - $5.26, Montrose - $4.62 and Appleton City - $4.28.
This increase is necessary to cover the operating expenses of the school district. After all, prices have increased since 1997! In addition, State mandates such as maintaining a website with required information, more detailed financial coding, screening for dyslexia, additional reading assessments and reporting extensive educational information on each Hudson R-IX student has added to the work that has to be completed. This adds to the workforce we need, as well as, the equipment and software the district has to have.
Next year, the mandatory teacher’s salary will raise from $25,000 to $40,000. This will be another financial strain on the district. Remember, when salaries increase, so do the withholdings and retirement on the salaries. The State has said that they will help out with this increase, if the funds are available. Even if they can help, that may or may not happen and it won’t last forever.
Remember, even if Hudson R-IX is not here, you will still have to pay a school tax to someone and you will probably not have a say as to who that will be.
Please vote YES on November 5th and help Hudson R-IX extend our pursuit of CONTINUED EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION.