State Appeal Board upholds Midland school budget

DES MOINES – The three-member State Appeal Board voted Tuesday to let stand a fiscal 2011 budget for the Midland school district that included a property tax increase.

The 3-0 vote came after a hearing panel determined that the school board's action was “very reasonable” given the current financial situation.

Tuesday's special meeting came in response to a protest filed against the district by two citizens who objected to the proposed spending level for the 2010-11 school year and the school board's decision to raise the local property tax levy by 23 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation for next school year.

Midland school officials approved a $14.15 per $1,000 assessed valuation levy rate for next school year. The district's proposed $6.9 million budget for fiscal 2011 includes an unspent balance of nearly $1 million.

The State Appeal Board is made up of the state auditor, the state treasurer and the director of the Department of Management.

Comments: (515) 243-7220;

rod.boshart@gazcomm.com