Nicolet adopts preliminary budget with tax levy decrease

Glendale - The Nicolet School Board adopted its 2010-11 budget calling for a spending plan of $24.55 million, down from the estimated 2009-10 budget of $26.51 million, or 7.42 percent.

A tax levy of $16.51 million, down 2.47 percent from the previous levy of $16.93 million, would be necessary to fund the budget.

Because student enrollment won't be known until the count taken on the third Friday in September and because the contract with the teachers union has not been settled, there will likely be changes to the budget before the end of October, the time the board normally makes final adjustments to the document.

The district will file for arbitration to try to settle the contract before the school year begins. The arbitration process starts with the district making a preliminary final offer, with a union response due within 14 days.

The contract would cover the 2009-10 school year, which has just ended, and the upcoming year.