Independence school budget approved with surplus

The Independence School District’s annual budget for the 2023-24 school year was approved by the school board last Tuesday. It is projected to end with a surplus of about $270,000 due to additional sources of aid. 

Taxpayers will see a reduced rate this year. The budget has a mill rate of $8 per $1,000 of assess property value, down from last year’s figure of $8.86. A projected decrease in the school district’s portion of the mill/tax rate is something that was laid out as a commitment of sorts along with year’s budget. 

“This school is part of the community and the community is part of this school. Huge applause here as well, for keeping that mill rate exactly where we promised we would,” Joe Bragger, board president, said. “We said we won’t go over these rates, that’s what we’re doing. Countless hours were put into the budget — I can’t say enough for the staff, administration, the community members, and this school board; how we’ve come together to get things done.”