Budget hikes tax rate in C-M
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct millage amount and that a decision on how to fund the remaining deficit has not yet been made.
CANONSBURG – In a special meeting Thursday, Canon-McMillan School Board approved a preliminary budget of $72,416,033 for the 2015-16 school year. For taxpayers in the district, that will mean up to a 2.4 mill increase.
Board members Paul Scarmazzi, Darla Bowman-Monaco, Michael Caporizzo, Mark Dopudja, Eric Kline and Joe Zupancic voted in favor; Zeffie Carroll, Manuel Pihakis and Maureen Helinski were not present for the vote.
According to business manager Joni Mansmann, a 1 mill increase, which will be used for the construction of a new Muse Elementary School, is a definite.
Mansmann said the district’s final budget is contingent upon the state’s budget, which has not been decided.
“There are a lot of factors at play. This is not a final budget,” she said. “A lot can happen.”
The district’s current millage is 108. If taxes are increased by 1 mill, a taxpayer who owns a property with a market value of $100,000 will see a $25 annual increase; if increased by 2.4 mills, the same property owner would see a $60 yearly increase.
In addition to a $1 million budget deficit, the district is facing construction of the elementary school at a projected cost of up to $31,001,782 and a field renovation at Big Mac Stadium, at a projected cost of up to more than $1 million.
“It’s a big price tag,” Mansmann said of the stadium project.
Mansmann estimated 1 mill would generate about $375,000 and 2.4 mills would generate about $900,000. The district has not yet determined from which fund the money to cover the remaining budget deficit will come.
Another financial strain on the district is a projected 5 percent health care cost increase as well as a 4.4 percent contribution increase to the Public School Employees Retirement system.
The board is expected to adopt a final budget at its May 21 meeting.
In other district news, school officials remain tight-lipped on any disciplinary action taken against student-athletes involved in last month’s drug scandal. Baseball head coach Frank Zebrasky was temporarily suspended during an investigation into alleged marijuana use by players on a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. He has since been reinstated.
When asked if any students had been disciplined, Superintendent Michael Daniels said, “No comment.”