May 22, 2015 2 min read

Canon-McMillan School Board members voted Thursday night to table a vote on the $73.1 million 2015-16 budget with a possible 2.4-mill tax increase until their next meeting June 18.

A motion was made to table discussion on the 2015-16 operating budget and potential tax increase after public comments raised concerns over a supposed revenue surplus over the last five fiscal years.

Four citizens spoke during the public comment period of the board meeting, one going so far as to bring charts showing the difference between actual revenue for Canon-McMillan and its budgeted revenue over the last five fiscal years.

Maureen Helinski, a board member from North Strabane Township, said after hearing she wanted to know more before she voted on the budget.

But board member Joseph Zupancic, also from North Strabane Township, had a different opinion.

“The line item is always going to be how much taxes went up or down,” Zupancic said. “It’s one thing to have a plan and expect fairy dust to pay for it. There has to a certain amount of tax increase. I hope we don’t lose our resolve. We are doing things and moving this district forward.”