The Menahga School Board set the preliminary 2010 levy at a 5.59 percent increase from last year.
Superintendent Mary Klamm said at Monday's board meeting that some of the increase comes from the ventilation project the school is undergoing this year.
The 2010 total levy amount is $822,387.
The board will make the final levy adjustments at its December meeting.
In other action, the board:
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-Set public hearing dates to discuss the proposed building expansion bond referendum with the Menahga and Wolf Lake communities.
The first meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 5 at Menahga School. The second will be Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Wolf Lake Lions Hall. And the third will take place Tuesday, Oct. 27 at Menahga School. All meetings will take place at 7 p.m.
-Appointed election judges for the Nov. 3 special election. In Menahga, they are Willie Davis, head judge; LaVerna Ohlgren; and Donna Meyer. In Wolf Lake, judges will be Debra Haataja, head judge; Jan Jackola; and Gloria Beck. Alternates are Laura Ramirez and Dale Huwe.
-Heard Klamm announce there are 44 students taking online high school courses and 20 students taking online college classes, mostly from Bemidji State University.
-Approved post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO) agreements with Alexandria Technical Collage and Bemidji State University.
-Approved goals for the 2009-10 school year that the board set at an August special board retreat.
One goal is to increase the student math index rate by 10 percent from 69.7 percent to 77 percent on Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) by spring 2010.
Additional goals also include increased index rate for special education and elementary students.
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Effective communication regarding additional space needs and its financial impact was another goal.
A goal to continue to maintain a stable fund balance with a minimum of three months operating funds was also discussed.
The objective for that goal is to cash flow 2009-10 without borrowing money, Klamm said, adding that the existing reserves will help tremendously.
"Without the reserves, we would be borrowing money right now," she said.
She added that it will be a challenge to maintain the fund balance because no additional money is coming from the state.
