(KAIR)--The Board of Education for the Atchison County schools of USD 377 has finalized the 2018-19 budget.

Following a hearing drawing no public comment, the Board last week approved a nearly $10.5 million budget that includes a more than 2 mill property tax levy decrease.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 45.277 mills. It calls for the district to collect more than 3 million dollars in local taxes.

The district was able to lower the mill levy due to an increase in the district's assessed valuation.

Also during last week's meeting, the school board approved the 2018-2019 Atchison County Teachers' Association agreement settlement, as well as the salaries for classified staff for the new school year.