Green said Tuesday that the proposal will give the district a net increase of 11 positions and a use of fund assets of $ 1.4 million. That budget would include mental health resources, summer and after-school programs, English-speaking arts / math teachers, and professional study opportunities for staff, according to Green’s presentation.
When Green finished speaking, various spectators asked questions. Jerry Morgan, who served on the Auburn School Board years ago, once asked Green what the district’s reserve fund was.
She said Auburn had reserves of approximately $ 8 million and an unallocated fund balance of approximately $ 5 million. Morgan then asked, “What percentage of your budget?” Green said the fund’s unallocated holding is currently 11% of the budget, but “that doesn’t include anything we might be using later this year.”
Morgan then asked, “Doesn’t the law say you can’t go over 4%?” Green then answered yes. The state’s real estate tax law provides for a statutory limit of 4% of the unlimited fund assets.
Morgan expressed concern that the district’s unrestricted balance is three times the legal amount while the district is aiming for a 2.85% tax increase. Green said this was the first time the district had crossed the state’s 4% limit by the state. Auburn Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo also interfered.