Garden City Schools Cut Jobs, Increases Mills

The Garden City school district will raise residents’ property taxes two mills and eliminate 27 jobs.

The board of education approved the moves Monday to balance the district’s budget, which is expected to be reduced by more than $2 million for the third consecutive year.

The Garden City Telegram reported Tuesday that the district will eliminate 14 library paraprofessionals and 13 teaching positions. School officials say attrition will absorb the lost jobs.

The projected tax increase is part of an earlier decision to increase the local option budget by $1.3 million. The current mill levy is about $48.95 for every $1,000 of assessed property evaluation. Funding of the local option budget is generally split between state and local tax dollars.