Discussion on Further Council Rock Cuts Delayed

A discussion on how to cut $1.9 million more from the Council Rock School District  budget in order to keep taxes flat next year was deferred Thursday due to recent developments in Harrisburg.  Superintendent Mark Klein said Republican leadership is expected next week to offer a revised budget proposal, which may mean more money in state aid for the district.

“We need to be somewhat patient with the state budget,” Klein said. “In the next week or so, we will have a better idea about which way the political winds are blowing in Harrisburg.”

Last week, 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.

Klein said with the developments on the state level, it would be premature to create a list of potential further cuts. Such a list, he said, may create unnecessary alarm within the community. Klein suggested the district hold a special budget meeting in early June to flesh out the final budget details and allow the community a chance to weigh in.

Board member Patty Sexton said she believes June is too late to have that discussion. She said she’d like to hear about additional cuts at the next board meeting, which is scheduled for May 19.

“Regardless of what Harrisburg does, we need to look at every dime we’re spending and do the best we can to minimize our expenses. If we get more money, so be it. That can only help us,” Sexton said. “There are still areas of the budget I think we can decrease. I won’t be able to vote on a tax increase of any kind unless I know that we have cut all that is possible.”

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.