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Fairmont Area: Levy going down

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont School Board on Tuesday approved a proposed 2019 property tax levy reduction of 0.19 percent.

“It’s a small reduction, but it’s still a reduction. Our property taxes will be reduced by $11,063,” said Superintendent Joe Brown.

He explained that the reduction is because of bond refinances that were purchased with low interest rates. It’s also due to an Ag Land Tax Credit approved by state lawmakers last year.

“It’s very noteworthy that we take the opportunity to decrease it when we can,” said school board member Del Ellis. “We try to be fiscally responsible because we pay taxes too.”

Moving on to other matters, the board discussed its evaluation of Brown.

“We are continually trying to improve the work that we do here in the district, and we’re trying to look at ways to be creative and innovative and make the eduction at Fairmont Schools extraordinary, and that is Joe’s charge and we have full confidence that with Joe and with our teaching staff we’ll accomplish some important gains in the next years,” said board president Rufus Rodriguez.

Board member Julie Laue said the numbers are comparable to last year’s and even the previous years, which shows Brown is meeting and maintaining the goals of the board and of the district.

“You have done above and beyond,” Laue said. “I think it was a very even evaluation by all members and I thank you for the work you’ve done.”

The board accepted the following donations:

o A dry erase easel, valued at $273, for a classroom at Fairmont Elementary from Donor Choose.

o Office supplies totaling $4,400 to Fairmont Elementary from Fairmont 3M.

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