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Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Jul 16, 2012) — The Jamestown Public School Board voted Monday, to reduce the tax mill levy.

The asbestos removal project at Jamestown Middle School was completed this past year, reducing the mills by seven. One mill was added for special assessments.

Superintendent, Robert Toso said, the six mill reduction is a savings of $250,000 from last year.

Along with the mill levy, JPS also approved the 2012-2013 budget with a general fund $24,318,892, with an estimated deficit of $850,000 for the upcoming school year.

The school district’s reserve fund, is at $5,776,561, which gives the school district two to three years to end deficit spending.

Toso said the general rule of thumb is that the interim fund doesn’t fall below 10 to 14 percent of the general fund.

In Jamestown, he would like to see the interim fund not fall below $3.5 million.

The reorganizational meeting noted the two board members leaving the board, as the two newly elected members were seated.

 Rosemary McDougall, who did not seek re-election served on the board for eight years. Her city seat was filled by newly elected Roger Haut.

Rural representative Gary Peterson, who did not seek re-election, served on the board for 12 years. His seat is now filled by newly elected Terry Anderson.

 Roy Musland was elected by the board as the new president. Tanya Ostlie will remain vice president.

Former president Greg Allen was the other nominated candidate. Ostlie was the only, one nominated for the vice president position.

Musland received votes from board members Ostlie, Anderson, Haut, Shelly Jystad, Diane Hanson and himself.

Board members also approved to keep their pay at what it was for the last fiscal year, $200 per month per member and $250 for president and $40 for each additional meeting.

In other business, Vicki Coombs was approved as Washington and Louis L ‘Amour Elementary schools, Principal, at a salary of $82,000 a year, which includes running the summer school program.

The meeting was recorded by the CSi 10 THE REPLAY CHANNEL.