On Tuesday, May 15, Stillwater residents approved the district’s 2018-19 budget with 265 voting in favor and 118 voting against it.
The $24,842,337 budget carries a $312,387, or 1.27 percent, spending increase over the current year and a 3.42 percent increase in the tax levy. Final tax rates will be set in August.
“I’d like to thank our Stillwater community members who came out to vote this year,” Superintendent Patricia Morris said. “The results show that our community continues to value a quality education, opportunities and a safe environment for our students.”
Additional Propositions
By a margin of 271 to 102, voters passed a proposition to establish a capital reserve fund of $100,000 to cover the cost of repairs to the flooring at the elementary school. By a margin of 276 to 103, voters also passed an additional proposition to expend the monies in the capital reserve fund of $100,000.
By a margin of 252 to 128, voters passed a proposition to establish a $750,000 capital reserve fund, which will allow for the future replacement of the turf field. The field was installed in 2009. This proposition represents advance planning on the part of the district. The reserve will be funded by money from the general fund that may be unspent at the end of this year and/or future years as it is available. In this way, the replacement of the turf field can be accomplished with money that voters have already authorized the district to spend.
Board Election
Residents also elected incumbents Tim Hems and Jon Mueller to the Stillwater Board of Education. They were the only two names on the ballot for three open seats. One additional seat was offered to Paul “Butch” Lilac, who was the write-in candidate with the most votes.
The results are as follows: Jon Mueller (291 votes), Tim Hems (264 votes), Paul “Butch” Lilac (41 votes), and William Brennan (26 votes).
Hems, Mueller and Lilac have accepted their positions and will each serve a three-year term, beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2021.
Stillwater Public Library
By a margin of 275 to 106, residents approved the Stillwater Public Library’s proposed budget of $269,479. This money will be collected by the district and then forwarded to the library. The library has the same service boundary as the school district, however the Stillwater Public Library is not governed by the district.
Stillwater Public Library Board Seats
- Heather Frank – 293 votes
- Emily Nadler – 245 votes
- John Butler – 16 votes (write-in)
- Michael Reeves – 12 votes (write-in)