Woodland Hills school board votes to increase taxes, furlough staff

The Woodland Hills school board voted Wednesday to accept a budget that includes a 3 percent tax increase and furloughs at least 60 staff members.

The 5-3 vote increases the millage rate from 25.35 to 26.1105 mills — an increase of $65.94 per year, or about $5.50 per month, for properties valued at $86,200, according to district budget workshop presentations that compared the difference to a cup of coffee.

“It’s more than people sacrificing a cup of coffee every month,” said Chardae Seligsohn, one of the three school board members who voted against the budget.

That $5 monthly increase could impact families’ budgets and how they plan for supporting their kids, like paying for their extracurricular activities.

Seligsohn wants to see the district consider more creative solutions to generating revenue, like getting rid of unused properties owned by the district, she said. She’d also like to see the district start the budget planning process earlier, and to start charting long-term budget plans rather than deciding spending on a year-to-year basis.

“Let’s try something,” Seligsohn said. “Stop telling me to open my wallet.”

David Graves and Terri Lawson also voted against the budget, while Mike Belmonte, Ronna Currie, Jamie Glasser, Jeff Hanchett and Paige Strasbaugh voted for it.

The budget includes revenues of $97.02 million and expenditures of $101.78 million, using $3.36 million of the 2018-19 fund balance.

The tax increase is expected to generate $1.39 million in revenue for the district.

“We’re certainly conscious of the fiscal realities in our communities and peoples’ real lives,” said board President Jamie Glasser. “It’s never easy, it’s never the first choice to raise taxes. And we understand it has an impact on people, no matter the size or value of their home.”

The increase will help the district get back on stable fiscal footing, Glasser said.

Also included in the budget is a plan to furlough dozens of staff members, including 31 teaching staff and 8 administrators, Glasser said.

About 15 support staff, like paraprofessionals and custodians, will also be furloughed, Glasser said. Those numbers will not be finalized until later this summer. Other teaching staff could also be called back depending on fall enrollment.

“Furloughs are very difficult, and we recognize the impact that has on families and professionals as well,” Glasser said. “We certainly don’t take that vote lightly.”