School tax rate to drop

The property tax rate for Jay Schools will drop in 2017 thanks to an unexpected jump in the county’s assessed valuation.

Business manager Brad DeRome told members of the Jay School Board Monday night that the latest figures show a $27 million increase in the county’s total assessed valuation over last year.

“When the assessed valuation goes up, that makes the local tax rate go down,” DeRome said.

As a result of the increase, the Jay Schools tax rate will drop from $1.01 per $100 of assessed valuation to 99 cents.

DeRome said the county’s latest total assessed valuation is $956,900,320.

In a meeting that was largely for organizational purposes, the board re-elected Kristi Betts as its president, Beth Krieg as vice president and Ron Laux as secretary.

But that action came on a 5-1 vote with new board member Phil Ford dissenting without comment. Board member Cory Gundrum was absent.

Ford, who has stated on more than one occasion that he intends to challenge school expenditures rigorously, succeeded in getting the board to table approval of the Indianapolis law firm of Church, Church, Hittle and Antrim as outside legal counsel.

“Given our financial situation, why would we hire someone if we don’t know what their charges are going to be?” he asked.

He urged checking with at least two other Indianapolis firms to see if the hourly rates are competitive.

After some discussion, both the motion and the second to approve the Indianapolis firm were withdrawn and the matter tabled until more fee information can be gathered.

Board members voted 6-0 to approve a contract with Jay County attorney Phil Frantz, who receives an annual retainer of $3,000 a year and compensation at the rate of $200 an hour for work beyond the scope of the retainer.

Also tabled were board committee assignments.

Frantz and superintendent Jeremy Gulley noted there is a distinction between board committees appointed by the school board president and committees appointed by the superintendent. Those appointed by the superintendent are not subject to Indiana Open Door Law. Those appointed by the board president, with the exception of the contract negotiation committee, are subject to the Open Door Law.

With Gulley less than three months on the job as superintendent and two new members on the board, he suggested tabling the matter until board members can review the different potential committee assignments.

Gulley said he’s been continuing with his 90-day transition plan to his new duties, visiting schools, meeting with board members and talking with teachers, parents and students.

He said he expects to present a review of the corporation’s budget and financial situation at the board’s Jan. 23 meeting.

Gulley also told the board that in an effort to reduce paperwork he is going to be making greater use of Google Drive and urged board members to try out the same internet-enabled devices that Jay Schools students are using.

In other business, the board on a 6-0 vote:

•Appointed DeRome as school corporation treasurer and Violet Current as deputy treasurer.

•Authorized DeRome and Current to be users of the school corporation’s safety deposit box.