Fayette schools keep current millage

The Fayette County Board of Education voted 4-1 Monday to keep its current property tax rate at 20 mills, which will support the $184 million 2015-16 school budget already approved in June.

The bond (debt service) millage rate will decrease from 1.45 to 1.35 mills. Board member Barry Marchman suggested even a token general fund millage reduction to 19.9 mills, but Diane Basham and Dan Colwell spoke in favor of the current rate as a hedge against possible state funding cuts and to keep staffing high enough to prevent class sizes from exceeding desired limits.

The board may consider a reduction next year.