The South Koochiching-Rainy River School Board on Wednesday approved a resolution to move forward in placing a ballot question in the November election, asking district residents whether they agree to an increased levy.

The operating referendum resolution could result in a levy that would help offset the district’s projected budget deficit. 

The total amount levied, if approved by voters, would be no more than approximately $58,000 over the span of several years, according to Superintendent Jerry Struss.

However, the total amount to offset the budget deficit would not have to be levied — state aid would more than double the levy dollars, adding another $82,000 in aid to the district. That would provide the district with a total of about $140,000.

“The aid comes in to offset the deficit,” Struss reported to The Journal Thursday. “So we don’t have to raise the levy so high.”

A state program funds districts in low-income areas in order to alleviate the amount the community would pay in levy dollars.

“We get more (state) aid if we have a lower property value,” Struss told The Journal in May. “That’s very true in our property values in South Koochiching — compared to most other districts in Minnesota.”

The levy is determined according to the number of students the district enrolls.

“When considering several options, the operating referendum option was attractive because of the state aid that follows,” Struss said in May. “It more than doubles the levy amount.”

In other business Wednesday, the board agreed to offer German language classes in place of Spanish. The district received no applications in the search for a Spanish language instructor this summer. Former Indus and Northome Schools Spanish language teacher Heidi Bessler resigned to take a position in Bemidji, closer to her home.

With the hire of German language teacher Sara Fahey, the district will begin offering German language classes in the 2012-13 school year. 

 In other meeting business, several other hires were approved by the board.

The board agreed to hire Cory White, Northome technology coordinator; Kristine Schuldt, Indus music teacher; Dan Prigge, Northome custodian; and Diane Bennett, Northome elementary keyboarding teacher. Bennett retired last spring, but will fill the position part-time. The other time will be covered by a contract with Kelliher School District in which one of their teachers will be shared with Northome for that class.