After administrators said they were confident the district could handle planned projects and potential emergency repairs in the next year, board members decided against the extra 2 mills.

“If we can reduce some of the (economic) pressure by reducing the capital outlay levy, I think that’s something we should do,” board member Marlene Merrill said.

According to projections, an increase of 2.076 mills would cost the owner of a $200,000 home an extra $48 in taxes a year. Total school district taxes on the home would be $1,333.

Because of state funding cuts, the school board has already cut $4.6 million from its 2010-2011 budget.

Administrators say the 2 mill increase overall is due to a higher payment next year on principal for the 2005 bond issue, as well as added authority on the district’s local-option budget due to projected enrollment increases at the Lawrence Virtual School and among students who receive free and reduced-price lunches.

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