Aug 14, 2008

The Ava Board of Education held the annual tax rate hearing on Monday of this week, and approved maintaining $2.75 as the rate for the 2008-09 operating school year. Prior to voting on the issue, Dr. Andy Underwood, superintendent, gave an overview of assessed property values by category, and how total values had changed since last year. Underwood noted totals reflected a one-percent increase for the current year, a factor which formulates into a monetary increase of $107,108.43 over last year. The report cited current year valuations as $88,327,925, with last years totaling, $84,433,073. The total amount of property tax money budgeted for the school's operating fund was listed as $2,429,017. The vote for the $2.75 per $100 tax rate was unanimous. In closed session, school board members voted on the following personnel changes and decisions: Shila Currier was moved from elementary special education teacher to kindergarten teacher; Janell Stewart was hired as the freshman volleyball coach; Rex Sawyer was hired as athletic director; Nova Eubanks, elementary cafeteria; Jessica Willis, middle school cafeteria. The next regular meeting of the school board is Thursday, August 21, 5 p.m. in the administration office.