By SARAH PARKER | County Line Editor
Royall School Board members and district residents reviewed a $10,004,974 preliminary total budget for 2021–22 at a public hearing Sept. 27.
Fund 10, or the general fund, will amount to $7,585,358, of which a major share — $5,562,125 — will come from state sources. Local sources make up 19.02 percent, or $1,442,834, with the remainder coming from federal and other sources.
Superintendent Mark Gruen noted that when the school district runs a referendum next spring, the local tax base will cover about 19 percent of that figure as well.
“We’re highly aided,” he said.
The rest of the proposed budget consists of the following categories: special projects fund (special education), $1,331,000; debt service fund, $637,850; food-service fund, $411,000; and community service fund (e.g., summer recreation programs and weight room expenses), $39,766.
As it stands now, the local levy for 2021–22 will be a predicted $2,049,621, a .68 percent drop from last year’s figure. The levy will be set after the state Department of Revenue certifies the district’s equalized valuation and after the state Department of Public Instruction certifies the district’s general aid.
“This definitely will change between now and the next board meeting,” said financial director Jeff Lankey.
Other business
• Royall will form a wrestling cooperative with Wonewoc-Center, with the WC wrestlers participating at the junior varsity this year.
• The administration will seek funding, including potential sponsorships, for a new football scoreboard.
• The board agreed to hire Annabell Pedersen as a fourth-grade teacher.
• Cheryl Hedler replaces Dawn Mecozzi, who recently resigned from her custodian position.
• Susan Heesch will serve as junior varsity basketball coach; and Katelyn Huber, seventh grade girls basketball coach.