Council Rock to Consider $209M Budget Thursday

The Council Rock School Board will consider a final budget for 2013-2014 during a meeting Thursday.

Last month, the board approved a $209.4 million preliminary budget that if passed without changes, would increase taxes by $55 for the average household.

The preliminary budget as drafted calls for a 1.3 percent tax increase, which is under the 1.7 percent cap regulated by the state’s Act 1 Index.

District Superintendent Mark Klein said Wednesday it is an "open question" whether the board will approve the budget with a 1.3 percent tax increase.  A final budget must pass by June 30.

Several board members said prior to the preliminary budget vote that they’d like to see more of the fund balance used instead of increasing taxes.

Director of Business Administration Robert Reinhart is recommending the district use $2.45 million of its $29 million fund balance to make up for the projected $5.8 million deficit.  

“I believe we should use more fund balance,” board President Wendi Thomas said during the meeting in May. “I don’t want $29 million in fund balance.” 

Thomas voted for the preliminary budget, she said “begrudgingly,” but indicated she intends to push for more use of the fund balance. “I believe there are many people out there who are hurting,” she said. 

The tax increase would net the district an estimated $1.78 million towards the deficit, plus more than 25 retirements and resignations will save the district $1.2 million in salaries, he explained last month.

District officials explained that the budget keeps general fund expenditures "mostly flat" with two exceptions—pension contributions mandated by the state and the addition of six staff positions, according to district officials.

Click here to view the full agenda for Thursday's meeting.