5B Mill Levy Override
27J Schools voters approved 5B, a mill levy override property tax increase designed to address critical district needs on Nov. 8, 2022.
This marks the first time in more than two decades that voters have approved additional operational funding for the district and will infuse $17.7 million in additional annual operating revenue into 27J Schools.
What will this money be used for?
Better protect students from gun violence and threats
• Safety officers at every district-managed school including elementaries, which have none.
• Train and coordinate 27J safety officers with law enforcement and first responders.
• Provide uniforms, materials and updated equipment for school safety at every school.
Pay teachers and support staff more to hire and keep the best
• Improve teacher & support staff pay to compete with other districts
Staff new STEM/Career and Technical Education centers
• Staff new centers to provide promised courses so students have skills to be career-ready.
• Provide teachers and students with needed materials and supplies so students have hands-on training and are ready for the workforce.
When will new funding take effect?
The funds from the property tax supporting the new mill levy override won’t be available to our schools or district right away. The new tax will be incorporated into homeowners’ tax rate and those funds are typically collected in January. The district will, however, finalize its plans for implementing the programs approved by voters. The new programs will launch at the beginning of the school district’s new fiscal year which starts July 1, 2023.
This will give the district and schools time to finalize plans to ensure a smooth launch of the new programs.
How will the district be held accountable for the use of this money?
The district has formed a Mill Levy Override Accountability Committee comprised of community members representing the various planning areas of the district to monitor the expenditure of these funds.
This group will be responsible for:
- Monitoring how the district is putting the promised plan into action
- Receiving staff reports on the rollout of the plan and the financial resources being used to operate the programs
- Providing regular reports to the 27J Schools Board of Education
This committee will begin its work in July 2023.