(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Board of Education is proposing a 2018-19 budget that contains a nearly 2.6 mill property tax levy reduction.

During a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Board approved the proposed budget for publication.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 52.7 mills, with the amount of tax to be levied at more than $6.3 million.

The budget includes a 1.7 mill levy decrease for the bond and interest fund.  The district will be making its last bond payment for the middle school September 1st.  

The Board was also able to lower the mill levy for the local option budget due to an increase in the district’s assessed valuation.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser said district’s assessed valuation grew by more than $7.2 million.

He said the goal was to give some relief to taxpayers and still address funding needs aligned with the district’s goals and objectives.

The Board will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 13th meeting.