LINN  — At their August meeting, Linn R-2 board members set the 2023-24 tax levy at $3.80 per $100 assessed valuation, which includes $2.75 for operating expenses and $1.05 for debt service.

According to Superintendent Bob James, real estate valuation is $60,560,758, and personal property is $23,860,549 for a total of $84,421,307.

James anticipates the levy will generate $2,321,586 in revenues for operating and $886,424 in debt service. This includes $9,424 in new construction and improvements and $123,090 from reassessment.

In other business, James told the board the Annual School Board Report (ASBR) shows how the school did last year. Though he anticipated an ending fund balance of 34.6%, the district had 37.11% as of June 30. Each percent equals roughly $56,000, which gives Linn an additional 2.5% of the fund balance for special projects. James noted that it provides the school with another $125,000 plus increased assessed valuation, which equals approximately $75,000.

“That gives us about $200,000 we didn’t anticipate having in the 2023-24 school year,” James said, noting the school transferred about $128,000 to Fund 4 for projects last year.

“We’re in a pretty good place,” said Board President Dr. Shawn Strong.

“We are, and I’m excited,” said James. “We did some great things with salaries and benefits. We increased everyone’s supply budgets, too. I like looking at the new equipment coming in. If you haven’t had a chance to see our new volleyball system, which allows us to have two courts during a tournament, it is a massive upgrade. It’s really nice. I’m proud of what they put in there.”

Dr. Strong said he noticed a lot more spending on athletic equipment but noted the school hadn’t spent much before, so this was a nice change.

Athletic Director Chris Minnix said the school began making small improvements at the end of last year. This year, coaches and kids are excited about the upcoming fall season. “It’s awesome to see them super excited about the changes,” said Minnix.

• A propane bid of $1.379 per gallon from AA Propane of California, Mo., was approved by the board. Also biding were MFA Oil at $1.43 per gallon and Lock’s Mill Propane at $1.59 per gallon.

“The interesting thing to me is that AA is willing to extend the corporate rate to employees at their residence,” said James of the $1.429 per gallon cost. “That’s a nice ancillary benefit to staff members during the winter.”

AA Propane offered to swap out the district’s six tanks at no charge and no lease on the tanks. The California company will also put monitors on each tank and offered 10,000 gallons, which James said is about the school’s typical usage.

James added that AA has a stellar reputation and is looking to expand. “They shot us a great price, and I love the fact they thought of our staff,” he said.

“I would love to award the bid locally, but based on the differential, I don’t know that we can,” said Dr. Strong.

“There’s a pretty significant gap between AA and Lock’s Mill,” said James.

• Board members held a first reading and adoption of Regulation 0342 dealing with nepotism, conflict of interest, and financial disclosure.

• Following a unanimous vote, the board approved the move from the third Monday to the third Thursday of each month, beginning Sept. 21.

• Bus routes were approved as submitted with no changes.

• Board members approved the Local Compliance Plan prepared by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By approving this plan, Linn R-2 is automatically compliant.

• A request for a band trip from May 17-25, 2024, to Orlando, Fla., was approved by the board. Five chaperones will monitor 25 students who will perform at Disney. The group will receive its itinerary from the contracted tour service.

• Linn’s FFA Chapter was approved to take a four-day trip to the National Convention from Nov. 1-4 in Indianapolis, Ind. Ag sponsors Terry Shepherd and Megan Niederhelm will take 20 FFA members (grades 9-12) who have excelled in their activities. Students will participate in a business session, career expo, general sessions, agricultural tours, and more while in attendance. To split costs, they will ride in a Cavalier Coach Bus with Vienna and Cuba FFA members.

• Bills were approved for payment in the amount of $481,634.32. The school has a checking and investment balance of $3,435,943.23, including investments of $485,945.26 through Mid America Bank.

• A look at the district’s facility improvement plan will appear next week.