Staff writer
Washington School District's tentative $24.2 million operating budget for the next school year includes a proposed 7-mill tax increase.
The 2009-10 budget is $46,419 more than this year's version.
Jeffrey Fine, a member of the board's finance committee who helped create the budget, said at Monday's board meeting that revenues are down, expenses are up and the district isn't sure how much money it will get from the state or federal government. Fine said that's why the millage increase is recommended.
He said that would mean an average increase in Washington tax bills of $52.32. It would be an increase of $124 in East Washington, he said. The millage rate would be 132. It's been 125 mills since 2005-06.
"As more information comes in from the state, we are going to work very hard to come off that 7 mills," he said.
Local tax revenue is down $212,000, he said. The tentative budget must be approved by Feb. 18, which is before the district will get specific details from the state about its budget, Fine said.
Business manager Rick Mancini said the district's budget does not include more money from the state than it received last year. Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed budget includes more money for education, but it still has to be passed by the Legislature, Mancini said.
The district will work on the budget until a final one is passed in late May or early June, he said.
"I do think the 7 mills is high," Mancini said. "I do expect it to come down."
Mancini said two areas are stretching the budget. Health-care costs are up to $4.6 million from $3.4 million in 2003-04. Tuition and transportation cost $1.9 million in 2003-04. They cost $3 million this year, primarily because of an increase in tuition costs, Mancini said.
As he figures out the budget, Mancini knows the salaries of nine employees. The district is negotiating contracts for the rest, he said.