Leavenworth USD 453 Superintendent Dr. Kellen Adams and Lansing USD 469 Superintendent Marty Kobza will discuss property taxes before the Leavenworth-Lansing Chamber of Commerce on September 23rd. However, the PowerPoint presentation the two leaders will use, obtained and analyzed by The Sentinel, shows many inaccuracies bordering on deception that neither will defend.
The original appearance before the Chamber was scheduled for July 23rd, but was postponed by weather and other factors. Chamber Director Jen Anders confirmed the new date.
Lansing, Leavenworth superintendents won’t answer questions
The following slides in the upcoming presentation contain inaccurate information, and following each, is a question we asked each superintendent:
The Building Needs Assessment, on which school budgets should be based, does not list the legally required questions: what are the barriers preventing students from being proficient in reading and math, what are the budgetary changes needed to overcome the barriers, and with the changes in place, how many years will it take for all students to be proficient. Why are they excluded?
This slide showing assessed valuation history does not include all valuations; the capital outlay and bond & interest valuations are different numbers. Why are those not included?
The next slide shows the mill rate history, which gives the impression that taxes declined. Why not show the taxes collected by each district, showing that taxes have increased? District budget documents show that the property taxes proposed for the 2024-25 school year would amount to a 34% increase by USD 453 Leavenworth over the last ten years and a whopping 70% increase by USD 469 Lansing.
This slide is titled “State vs. Local Taxes,” but two tax types are not shown (Capital Outlay and Bond & Interest). Why are those excluded?
This slide reads, “Debt Service schedules were set at the time of the bond election” and “lowering of rate after the fact places payoff in peril.” Lowering the rate would only do so if valuations declined, and that isn’t the case. Why do you not say that the rate can be lowered as valuations rise?
This slide also claims that LOB (Local Option Budget) matching state aid is tax relief. How do you justify that?
When asked for comment, Dr. Adams responded:
“As this event has not yet taken place, I am hesitant to offer any type of responses to the media until it has occurred.”
Superintendent Kobza answered:
“The slides are an outline, not the full content of the presentation. The presentation will include the topics you have addressed and others depending upon how the conversation proceeds and what questions the group asks.”
A previous Sentinel investigation showed the Leavenworth district attempting to cover up a 5% property tax increase.
