Rising property taxes was a point of emphasis at the USD 383 candidate forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters Saturday.
Candidates were asked how they think the school board should balance the needs of students without overburdening taxpayers.
Incumbent Kristin Brighton says the board spends at least four months each year discussing the budget. She adds, unlike the city and the county, the school board works the other way, looking at all costs and working through the state’s complicated funding formulas.
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Candidate Greg Hoyt, a retired 383 teacher and former Manhattan High School principal, says taxes are a fact of life, noting the budget should be evaluated through the lens of how it directly impacts students.
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Candidate Katie Allen says further property tax increases won’t be realistic, noting a need to deeper evaluation of current services.
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Candidate Andrea Engelken-Cervenka says anything that doesn’t directly contribute to positive student outcomes and well-being needs to be evaluated and potentially audited.
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Candidate Courtney Jane Hochman says budgets include several moving pieces that are complex, but not impossible to understand, noting that the state that has specific requirements for funds that leave districts with very little room for flexibility.

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Incumbent Curt Herrman says the inability to move money from one fund to another makes it challenging for boards to make deeper cuts.

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Candidate Frank Beer says he’d like to see more discussion at budget time than what’s been the norm in recent years.

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While the mill levy did drop a small fraction, inflation drove up property valuations. Candidate Robert Busby says a property valued at $200,000, will see an increase of about 14 dollars and 36 cents a month, which he believes will have an even bigger impact for lower income renters.

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Eight of the 10 candidates were on hand for Saturday’s forum. Librarian Audrey Swartz was unable to participate, and another candidate is dropping from the race, according to League officials Saturday.
Saturday’s forums were co-sponsored by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. The full recording of Saturday’s forums are available here.
(Brandon Peoples and Rhonda Zellweger contributed to this article)

The post USD 383 candidates discuss rising property taxes, budget challenges ahead at LWV forum appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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