Jun 1, 2015 1 min read

NEW EAGLE – Ringgold School Board is proposing a real estate tax increase for district property owners to raise money to build a new middle school and pay for retirement costs.

The tentative 2015-2016 budget introduced last month includes a 2-mill tax increase to meet those expenses, said district business manager Randy Skrinjorich.

Ringgold is expected to begin construction on the nearly $40 million middle school in November next to the high school in Carroll Township. The district also is building an addition to Ringgold Elementary School North in Gastonville.

The $41.8 million spending plan includes $20.9 million in state subsidies and $19.8 million in revenue from local sources, district records show. The district’s expenses increased by nearly $1 million over the current budget.

Instructional costs, which include teacher salaries, are expected to cost taxpayers $22.8 million next term. Teacher salaries and benefits are set at $14.6 million in the tentative budget.

The board is expected to adopt the budget at 7 p.m. June 24 in the district administration building in New Eagle.