Woodridge School Board Approves 6.7-mill Levy for May Ballot

The Woodridge school board on Tuesday night approved placing a 6.7-mill levy on the May ballot to avoid a $5 million deficit projected for the 2013-14 school year.

The levy is expected to generate about $3.25 million over five years.

With the impact of economic hardships and a daunting state budget deficit, school board President Cheryl Hoover said it’s hard to ask families to pay more. Many wage earners recently have lost their jobs or taken pay cuts.

“We feel very badly that we have to go to the voters and ask them to dig deeper into their pockets,” Hoover said.

The board also discussed possible state funding cuts of almost 15 percent coming their way in the near future.

“We’re now in that down cycle, where our revenues are down, the tangible tax is being phased out. We’re very nervous about what’s going to happen with the state funding,” she said.

In other business, the board is accepting applications for a  until Jan. 21.

Applicants will be interviewed on Thursday, Jan. 27.  Those interested in applying can get an application at the board office,  4411 Quick Road, Peninsula or on the district website.