The Hutchinson School Board took a first formal look at the proposed 2012-13 budget during its regular meeting Monday evening.

The budget proposes general fund legal maximum spending of about $30.6 million. For the first time in three years, the Legislature increased base state aid. The 2012-13 budget includes the 58-dollar per pupil increase in state aid – representing a 1.5 percent increase in the base state aid per pupil.

Overall, the estimated tax rate for 2012-13 for district taxpayers will be 56.41 mills or 0.75 mill lower than in 2011-12.

The board will have the formal public hearing on the 2012-13 budget on Aug. 13, at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum. At that time, the board could reduce the maximum budget but cannot increase it.

Also during the meeting, the board took the first step toward enlarging the tax base of the Hutchinson Recreation Commission from the USD 308 boundaries to the city limits of Hutchinson. Geographically, USD 308 only takes in a portion of the corporate city limits of Hutchinson.

They also approved a resolution that leaves the Hutchinson Recreation Commission’s structure the same but extends its taxing authority to the city of Hutchinson. The Hutchinson City Council will be asked to act on the same resolution on Aug. 7.