The Swedeborg School District gave thanks to community members as they officially set the tax rate for the 2010-2011 school year.
The district, which held a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, was able to set a 68 cent tax levy increase after the passage of a proposition in the Aug. 3 primary elections, essentially saving the district from closing its doors for good.
The tax ceiling was set at $3.43 per $100 of assessed valuation for the tax years 2010 through 2012, but will be reduced to $2.75 in 2013 and thereafter.
Swedeborg School District Superintendent Joe Dunlap said the increase will provide more than $40,000 in new revenue for the district.
Dunlap said to his knowledge, the increase was the largest in the county in the past 30 or 40 years.
"You all have been part of a rare, remarkable accomplishment this year in the state of Missouri," Dunlap said. "We couldn't have done it without community support."
Dunlap said the increase set an example for other districts fighting to stay open in uncertain financial times.
Dunlap said there have been warnings of potential federal cuts of about $189 million to be spread out among Missouri school districts and, while it is still uncertain how the cuts could affect the district, the tax increase will help to cushion the blow.
Dunlap said the district is progressing well, as shown by the preliminary results of the Missouri Assessment Program, or MAP, which demonstrated considerable growth.
"We were one of the only districts in this end of the state, and we were the only one in the Frisco league, to meet all four areas of MAP performance," Dunlap said.
Dunlap said last year, the district had only met goals in one out of four areas. The MAP results validate the efforts of the district in improving their programs and reaching each student, Dunlap said.
"We turned our performance curve around over a decline from the past two years to an improvement this year," Dunlap said. "It looks like we're on the right track."
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The Swedeborg School District gave thanks to community members as they officially set the tax rate for the 2010-2011 school year.
The district, which held a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, was able to set a 68 cent tax levy increase after the passage of a proposition in the Aug. 3 primary elections, essentially saving the district from closing its doors for good.
The tax ceiling was set at $3.43 per $100 of assessed valuation for the tax years 2010 through 2012, but will be reduced to $2.75 in 2013 and thereafter.
Swedeborg School District Superintendent Joe Dunlap said the increase will provide more than $40,000 in new revenue for the district.
Dunlap said to his knowledge, the increase was the largest in the county in the past 30 or 40 years.
"You all have been part of a rare, remarkable accomplishment this year in the state of Missouri," Dunlap said. "We couldn't have done it without community support."
Dunlap said the increase set an example for other districts fighting to stay open in uncertain financial times.
Dunlap said there have been warnings of potential federal cuts of about $189 million to be spread out among Missouri school districts and, while it is still uncertain how the cuts could affect the district, the tax increase will help to cushion the blow.
Dunlap said the district is progressing well, as shown by the preliminary results of the Missouri Assessment Program, or MAP, which demonstrated considerable growth.
"We were one of the only districts in this end of the state, and we were the only one in the Frisco league, to meet all four areas of MAP performance," Dunlap said.
Dunlap said last year, the district had only met goals in one out of four areas. The MAP results validate the efforts of the district in improving their programs and reaching each student, Dunlap said.
"We turned our performance curve around over a decline from the past two years to an improvement this year," Dunlap said. "It looks like we're on the right track."
