Jun 23, 2015 2 min read

Canon-McMillan School District adopted a final budget Thursday of $73,063,612 for the 2015-16 school year without increasing taxes.

The preliminary budget called for a tax increase of as much as 2.4 mills, but interim property taxes from Hyatt Place at Meadow Lands and the Reserve at Southpointe allowed the growing district to avoid the increase.

“That alone would have caused us to reopen the budget had it been voted on in May,” said Joni Mansmann, business manager.

At their May meeting, school directors tabled a decision to approve the budget after several residents questioned the need for a tax increase when Canon-McMillan showed a revenue surplus over the last five fiscal years.

“Yes, we have had surplus, but those were all for revenues unanticipated after the budget was passed,” said Mansmann. “Many things happen during a school year that you can’t plan for.”

The final budget estimates an unassigned fund balance of about $41,000 at the end of the 2015-16 school year. That money could be used for myriad unexpected costs, such as a student with special needs moving into the district or an especially bad winter.

The district, with about 5,125 students, will maintain a millage rate of 108, ranking 11th lowest out of 15 districts in Washington County. The budget allows for about $14,200 yearly per student.

Mansmann built in a contingency for the estimated $770,000 from the state since the state budget has not been finalized.

The district’s long-range plan includes construction of a new Muse Elementary School, new middle school and renovation of the high school. An unexpected cost this year was the renovation of the track and field, which will cost $1.2 million.

Mansmann said the stadium project was made possible by vigorous planning.

“We know things are going to happen, but we don’t know how many or how much,” she said. “I think we’ve done a good job of budgeting for preventative maintenance.”