Papillion-La Vista School District

The Papillion-La Vista Board of Education approved the 2009-2010 budget at last night’s Board of Education meeting. The total general fund budget is $101,242,140. This is a 7.7% increase over last year’s budget. Approximately 91% of the total budget increase is for staff salaries and benefits. The opening of a new elementary school also contributed to the budget increase.

The tax rate associated with this budget is now calculated differently due to the implementation of the Learning Community (LC). This is the first year for the implementation of the new LC common levy. The common levy is a tax rate set by the LC for all 11 school districts in Douglas and Sarpy County. The money collected from this tax rate is then put in one pool and redistributed among the 11 districts. The LC also sets a common building levy and a new tax known as the capital construction levy. The common building fund levy is redistributed to the 11 school districts. However, the capital construction fund levy remains under the control of the LC Coordinating Council. Each of these tax rates are indicated on the chart below.

For tax payers in the PLSD the tax rate increase is just under two cents. With the implementation of the LC and the common levy, the PLSD has lost control over a large portion of the tax ability. This limited control and flexibility, along with the implementation of a new tax, has resulted in a tax increase for PLSD residents.