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Jefferson-Morgan approves budget

3 min read

JEFFERSON -Jefferson-Morgan School Board approved a 2013-14 budget Monday which the chairman of the budget committee said would likely require a slight increase in property taxes this year.

The board approved a $12,163,603 spending plan that is only about $150,000 greater than the current year budget.

Board member Lisa Mattish, chairwoman of the board’s budget committee, said the board hasn’t ruled out any of its options but it’s “likely” the budget will require a tax increase consistent with this year’s budget.

The board last year adopted a budget that increased taxes by 0.5591 of a mill to 23.65 mills. The increase was slightly less than the amount permitted last year under the index set by the Taxpayers Relief Act.

The maximum amount the board could raise taxes this year, under the index established by the act, is 0.59 of a mill.

The district is still trying to recover from the large reduction is state funding two years ago, when its subsidy was reduced by more than $490,000, Mattish said. The last two budget years have been marked by cuts and decreased spending. This year’s budget, for instance, was more than $300,000 less than the year before.

The board continues to work on the budget and still needs more information before the budget can be made final. Business manager Jennifer Foringer said the district does not yet know how many teachers will retire this year.

Increases in spending in the budget include the district’s contribution to the state retirement fund, which will jump by more than 4 percent, and regular salary increases for staff. Revenue is expected to remain fairly level with the state’s contribution under the governor’s proposed budget, increasing by only about $59,000.

In other business, the board approved a three-year Act 93 compensation plan for principals, the maintenance supervisor and food service director, effective July 1, 2013; a new five-year contract with Foringer, effective Nov. 1, 2013; and a new three-year contract with technology administrator Adam Swinchock, effective July 1, 2013.

Raises for the administrators varied. It was noted all of the administrative staff accepted wage freezes this year, as did the district’s teachers.

The board also agreed to pay Foringer a $1,000 a month stipend for the three months she also served as food service director. Board member Debbie Phillips thanked Foringer for picking up the extra work when the district needed someone for the position.

The board approved an agreement under which it will share the services of its new food service director, Sherry Kottke, with Southeastern Greene School District. Southeastern will cover half of her salary and half the cost of her benefits.

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