By DEAN REA/Herald correspondent — Lowell’s school superintendent made debt repayment a priority in his 2021-22 budget proposal Monday night.
The budget committee unanimously approved a 2021-22 general fund budget of $15,542,00, an increase over the current $10,878,300 budget.
Supt. Johnie Matthews said he believes the district will receive needed state financial support while it recovers from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are basing our budget on $9.1 billion from the direction of Oregon Department of Education based upon what they think the Ways and Means Committee will vote into the budget for the 2021-2022 school year,” Matthews said in a prepared statement. “There is a possibility that it could be more, but to be safe we are expecting the worst and hoping for the best.”
Matthews noted how the pandemic has challenged the district: “How we have stayed together, worked together, laughed together and cried together” but “have weathered the storm.”
In his budget summary, Matthews explained, “If it looks like we can pay off a loan, we’re going to do so during the next two years.”
That policy was reflected in a number of categories. (A chart in the proposed budget shows the district has a debt liability of $912,411.)
Matthews described how the district continues to maintain and to improve student services while reducing debt, noting that thousands of meals have been served thus far this year and how increased special education needs of charter school students are being met.
A number of improvements are planned, including resurfacing parking areas and upgrading softball and baseball dugouts.
Meanwhile, PERS costs are declining based on changes within the state retirement program, staff members explained.
The proposed $5.0409 per $1,000 valuation tax rate remains unchanged.
The budget will be forwarded to the school board for consideration.
Board members of the committee are Suzann Kintzley, Joyce Donnell, Mike Galvin, Jim Chapman, Dionne Plahn. Appointed members are Jason Prenevost, Jim Martini, Jeremy Caudle, Lon Draght and Matt Wendt.