By Greg Denecker, Bluffton school superintendent
On May 7, The Bluffton Exempted Village School District will ask for your continued support of two renewal issues on the ballot.  One renewal of 4.244 mills for operating expenses was first passed in 1999; the other renewal, a 0.5% income tax for permanent improvements, was first passed in 2007.

The renewal levy on the May 7, 2019, ballot for 4.244 mills for 5 years was renewed in May 2014 at 4.9 mills.

Below is a quick overview of the renewal levy and its purpose:

Facts:

· The levy was originally passed in November 1999 at 4.9 mills,  generating $466,000.

· As the valuation of the district increased, the millage amount  decreased; a 3.44 millage was renewed in 2009 and collected the same $466,000.

· The levy on the May 6, 2014, ballot was renewed with an increase back to the original 4.9 mills, generating $714,392.

• The levy on the ballot for May 7, 2019, is down from 4.9 mills to an assessment of 4.244 mills, generating the same $714,392 as  in  2014.

· This is not a new tax; it is a renewal of the existing levy originally passed in 1999. 

· The first collection of the renewal would begin in calendar year 2020.

· The millage rate will be reduced from the 2014 rate of 4.9 mills to 4.244 mills in 2019.

How is the money used?
Money from the levy is placed in the general fund to be used for operating expenses.  These funds allow our school system to continue its legacy of excellence.  Bluffton Exempted Village Schools’ performance index ranks in the top 6% of all districts in the state; expenditures per pupil, however, are more than $2900 less than the state average.

The other renewal, a 0.5% Income Tax on May 7, 2019, is for permanent improvements for 3 years. 

Below is a quick overview of this renewal levy and its purpose:

Facts:

 - The tax was originally passed in May 2007 for 1/2% income tax.

- The tax generates over $700,000 per year.

- This tax  will be on the ballot on May 7, 2019, to be renewed at the same amount: 0.5% income tax for three years.

- This is not a new tax; it is a 3-year renewal of an existing tax.

- First collection of the renewal would begin in calendar year 2020.

For what can the permanent improvement money not  be used?

The money cannot be used for salaries or fringe benefits; these must be paid out of general operating dollars. 

What is a permanent improvement tax?

A permanent improvement tax can be used for anything that will last 5 years or more.  In past years, this money has been used for replacing roofs, buying new busses, remodeling classrooms, updating/repairing HVAC (both air conditioning and boilers) updating/repairing restrooms, plumbing, updating/repairing outside facilities, replacing windows and doors, tuckpointing/mortar repair, updating security measures, updating electrical and lighting, painting, paving, purchasing textbooks and technology, etc.  We will need to utilize these funds in much the same way in future years.

Obviously, these permanent improvement dollars are important for us to continue to maintain and improve our schools’ infrastructure.  We pledge to use these monies wisely, as we have in the past; we will continue to publish the revenue and expenses for these projects in the Bluffton News, Bluffton Icon, and the Summer District Newsletter.

Area and statewide comparison of expenditures per pupil-

Our expenditure per pupil for fiscal year 2018 was $9,050, which is over $2,900 less per pupil than the state average expenditure per pupil of $11,953. 

We rank 3rd  lowest out of 21 of the most similar districts in the state in the amount of money we spend per pupil, yet we are second in this group in state ranking academically on the performance index scores. 

Four districts that are relatively near to us in the similar district methodology, along with their expenditure per pupil for fiscal year 2018, are Liberty-Benton -- $9310 per pupil, Minster -- $9816 per pupil, Anna -- $9,943 per pupil, and New Bremen -- $11,163 per pupil.  While all these districts are below the state average of $11,953, we are the lowest of those schools with $9,050 spent per pupil in fiscal year 2018. 

Bluffton Exempted Village Schools works to be as efficient as possible with your tax dollars as we strive to give the students an excellent education.  Part of that success can be seen with Bluffton Elementary School receiving the National Blue Ribbon Award by the Federal Department of Education, one of 16 school buildings in the state to be honored in such a magnificent way. 

As you can see from the above numbers, we spend over $2,900 less per pupil than state average, and our district consistently ranks in the top 6% of the state academically with our performance index of 102.2.

These two renewals are critical for the on-going financial stability of our district.  I would like to thank you for your efforts in financially sustaining our district in the past, which has allowed us to continue to provide an excellent educational experience for our students.

I want to thank you, too, for your continued support of Bluffton Exempted Village Schools and our students and staff on a daily basis.  Through the combined efforts of the community as well as a dedicated staff with fantastic students, we will sustain the tradition of excellence in our district for our students.  I am honored to work and live in this terrific community. 

If you have any questions regarding either of the ballot renewal issues or would like a first-hand look at the improvements we have recently completed, please call (419-358-5901) or stop by the Superintendent’s Office.