Budget Discussion on School Board Agenda Thursday

There will be a budget update at Thursday’s Council Rock School Board meeting.

Earlier this month, a discussion on how to further trim the 2011-2012 budget in order to keep taxes flat next year was deferred. Superintendent Mark Klein said he was waiting for news out of Harrisburg that may mean more money in state aid for schools.

In April, the school board approved a $198.66 million preliminary budget for next year. The preliminary budget assumes a 1.4 percent property tax increase, or $58.52 for the average homeowner.

But many on the board are seeking a zero percent increase and, to achieve that, instructed Klein to present options for eliminating $1.9 million more from the budget.

Under the preliminary budget, residents would expect a 1.4 percent property tax increase, or $58.52 for the owner of the average assessed home of $38,000. Under the preliminary budget, every $10,000 of assessed value represents a $15.40 tax increase.

When the budget process began, Council Rock was facing a $14.2 million budget shortfall as a result of reduced state aid, tax revenue declines, and increases in contractual obligations like salary and benefits.

Under the proposed budget, $9.1 million has been cut from expenses and $1.1 million reduced through salary concessions. A $4 million infusion from the fund balance has been applied to make up the rest.

The cuts range from staffing reductions to the elimination of freshman sports teams.

The preliminary budget reduces 15 elementary classroom and support teaching positions. Other staff reductions include 15 secondary teachers, two gifted support teachers, and 10 special services professionals. More than a half a million dollars has been cut through the reduction of four administrator positions.

The district plans to cut $350,000 from co-curricular activities, like sports, arts, music, etc. The entire ninth-grade sports program will be eliminated for a savings of $105,000, an issue that has caused concern among some parents within the district.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Chancellor Center. To view the full agenda, click here.