May 20, 2016 2 min read

CANONSBURG – Canon-McMillan School Board voted 7-0 Thursday to approve a $77.8 million tentative budget with a 2-mill tax increase.

Business manager Joni Mansmann said the effect on real estate taxes from the planned increase won’t be known until June, when the board passes a final budget.

“The 2016-17 state budget has not passed to date. In addition, the district has a number of adjustments to make for the final budget recommendation in June. … One known variable that will not change for final budget is the inclusion of a tax mill for the Muse Elementary Project. That was included as part of the financial planning for the project,” Mannsman said.

Before business items, South Central Elementary Principal Michelle Tomicek reported to the board 10 desk cycles and five hybrid standing-sitting desks have been distributed throughout second-, third- and fourth-grade classrooms.

Tomicek said she followed research that found sitting for extended periods might be detrimental to a person’s health, but the practical and immediate effects are much more obvious.

“Teachers are reporting students are more on-task than at their desk while on the bikes and reading or doing work,” Tomicek said, “and the novelty isn’t wearing off. I don’t know if it will necessarily help in test scores – and we’re collecting data on that now – but at least they are getting moving and motivated.”