NEW ULM — The New Ulm School Board set the preliminary levy Thursday night at slightly less than last year’s limit.

The preliminary levy is $52,513 or .64 percent less than last year. In September, the school sets a preliminary levy for taxes payable ahead of the Truth in Taxation meeting typically held in December. The levy can decrease between September and December, but in cannot increase. Superintendent Bertrang said the school is always advised to set the preliminary levy at the max as the final budget number changes every day.

At this point, even at the maximum levy, the local tax payers are looking at a decrease. The decrease could be greater in December, but at minimum the decrease with be .64 percent.

In other news, Special Education Director Doug Hazen announced and presented the a Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Certificate. The school received this award for 100 percent compliance in the special education due process.

Last spring MDE walked through all the school buildings in the special education district, checked the filing system and inspected the special spaces. After this process the MDE identified which schools were in 100 percent compliance. Hazen said it is not easy to achieve 100 percent compliance, but New Ulm hit this goal.

Superintendent Jeff Bertrang said it takes a team to do this. “This is the result of a lot of people’s hard work,” he said.

The school lunch program was updated. Parents now will receive an email when their student’s lunch account has a $10 balance. Students will no longer be notified in line when the account is less than $5. Phone calls and emails will be made to parents when the balance is $5 or negative. When a students’ account is at negative $10 the district will serve an alternative meal of milk, vegetables or fruit, and cheese sandwich for 50 cents until the account is positive.

Family accounts with a balance of negative $25 or more that have not followed scheduled payment plans will be sent to a collection agency.