Small Town News

School district is asking for $300,000 supplemental levy on March 10

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Aberdeen School District is asking voters to vote on a supplemental levy on Tuesday, March 10. Polling places for the district are at the Aberdeen Legion Hall and the Springfield Shop.

These supplemental levy funds will be used for the purpose of paying district employees based on their actual years of service and education levels. Costs are constantly increasing while the district faces cuts due to federal sequestration and loss of state discretionary funds.

Since 2012, Aberdeen School District has taken measures to compensate for the loss of federal and state funding. They have cut personnel, administration costs and programs; restructured salaries and combined bus routes; and maintenance and custodial personnel have been placed on a modified work schedule. The middle school bond was also refinanced at a lower rate. A plant facility levy passed to maintain buildings in an effort to pass inspection. All employees have been frozen on salary schedules since 2009.

The district needs to retain current staff and be able to recruit teachers to fill future vacancies. This is becoming extremely difficult to accomplish due to the shortage of available teachers in the state and the competition with neighboring districts.



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