Voters in the Randall School District voted to allow the district to exceed the revenue limit by $460,000 for three years on a non‐recurring basis.
The referendum took place Tuesday. The total unofficial vote was 339 for yes and 90 for no.
Board President Jim O’Connell said:
We are very happy and grateful for the support the Randall School community showed with today’s vote. It’s further evidence that our community values the excellent tradition of Randall and the vision of where the district is headed. We will continue working very hard earning and maintaining the community’s trust. We have much to be proud of at Randall School, but the best is still in front of us.”
District administrator John Gendron said the $460,000, based on district projections, would keep the tax rate for the district the same as it is now for the first two years of the referendum period ($6.61/$1,000 of assessed valuation), with a possible decrease in the last year.
The additional revenue will help make up projected budget deficits brought on by decreases in state aid and tax levy, Gendron said. For example, he pointed out that the district has seen a $1 million decrease in revenue limit since 2009 and about a 51 percent decrease in state aid during about the same period.
The referendum funds, if approved, also would be earmarked for several other purposes including $51,000 for facility projects, $120,000 to fund the purchase of one or maybe two buses and $90,000 to help restore a 15 percent fund balance, Gendron said.
