HB 292 and Parent-Teacher Conferences

Dear Parents,

The school year is progressing quickly, especially now that the potato harvest is complete and most students have returned to their classes. We appreciate our farming community and the unique opportunity it provides for our students to work during this time. The potato harvest offers students a chance to gain insight into the potato farming industry and understand its significant impact on our school district and the broader community.

You may have noticed on your property tax documents that the school district has levied a much smaller amount than what has been approved at the ballot box.  In 2019, voters approved a seventeen-million-dollar bond to construct the junior high and in May of 2024, voters approved a supplemental levy for four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The reason that there has been a decrease in property taxes is due to House Bill 292. House Bill 292, passed during the 2023 legislative session, aims to reduce the tax burden on property owners by providing state funds to cover the costs of school bonds and levies. As a result, the school district's tax levy is significantly lower than what voters approved for both the 2019 junior high bond and the 2024 supplemental levy. The only tax that property owners are currently paying is the Tort Levy, which covers part of the school district's liability insurance. For the Sugar-Salem School District, this levy amounts to $22,404.00, and it cannot be funded through HB 292. All other school-related taxes will be covered by the state's contribution under HB 292.

I want to remind everyone about the upcoming parent-teacher conferences on October 23 and 24, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, October 23, conferences will be held at Central Elementary and Sugar-Salem High School. On Thursday, October 24, they will take place at Kershaw Intermediate and Sugar-Salem Junior High. Our district has set a goal of 60% attendance for these conferences. We encourage all parents to attend and actively engage in your child's education. When teachers and parents work together, students benefit the most!
 
Thank you for your continued support of education! Sugar-Salem is a wonderful place to raise a family and receive a quality education. I grateful to be part of such a supportive community.
 
Warmest regards,
 
Jared Jenks,
Superintendent, Sugar-Salem School District