By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

RUSSELL–Russell USD 407 is conducting a mail ballot election regarding its Local Option Budget (LOB).

Legislation passed by state lawmakers last spring allowed the USD 407 Board of Education (and any others in Kansas) to increase their LOB up to a maximum 33% for the current academic year. To maintain the 33% LOB, the state requires voter approval.

Russell school board members estimated the increase will generate approximately $127,000, offsetting a loss in state aid and without raising the local mill levy. If the mail ballot fails, the LOB will revert to 31% and USD 407 board members say they will have to identify approximately $130,000 in program cuts and/or allocations.

According to information from the school district printed on fliers that have been distributed throughout the community, approval of the keeping the 33% LOB would not increase Russell County property taxes at the current valuation.

A mail ballot LOB increase election in Hays USD 489 last June was defeated nearly two to one.

According to Russell County Clerk Mary Nuss, ballots will be mailed to registered voters in USD 407 today, Wednesday, Feb. 18 and must be marked, signed and received at the Russell County Clerk’s Office by 12 noon Tuesday, March 10.

Russell USD 407 operates four attendance centers: Simpson Elementary, Bickerdyke Elementary, Ruppenthal Middle School and Russell High School. All are located in Russell.