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Montoursville school district talks budget cuts, tax hike and pending deficit

Montoursville Area School Board members spent a Tuesday night work session discussing how to whittle down next year’s budget.

The proposed $29 million spending plan would hike the real estate tax millage to 15.60 from 14.85.

Business Manager Brandy Smith revealed that the tax hike is down slightly from the 15.70-mill real estate tax previously considered.

However, it also comes with a $50,000 deficit, she noted.

All told, local revenues are down $48,000 from January.

“That is due to lowering taxes,” Smith said.

Under a real estate take hike of 0.75 mills, homeowners with properties at assessed values of $100,000 would pay an additional $75 annually in taxes.

To raise more revenues, school director Susan Beery suggested raising the student athlete participation fee from $20 to $35.

She conceded that while $4,000 in additional money “may seem a drop in the bucket,” it’s worth considering.

Beery also proposed hiking the adult admission fee to athletic events by $1, which could mean an additional $10,000.

District Superintendent Christina Bason noted that recent budget discussions have included whether to cut a high school English position or a music teacher.

Replacement of a floor scrubber and a fog machine used to clean the weight room also were discussed.

“No matter what savings we can do, every little bit helps,” school director Ron Snell said. “Little savings add up to big savings.”

Snell questioned the need for hiring another science teacher given that very few students are enrolled in one of the Advanced Placement science classes.

“AP classes are great, but we have a deficit,” he said. “I don’t think hiring another science teacher is responsible.”

To which school director Robert responded, “Dollars and cents are important, but so is teaching the kids.”

School director Dottie Mathers said eliminating AP classes results in “shortchanging students.”

High school Principal Dan Taormina agreed.

“We don’t want to water down the curriculum,” he said.

Others noted that while expenses to special education have increased considerably, it’s a budget item that should remain untouched.

“The goal is to educate all students,” Bason said.

Dale Ulmer, a former board member, said he’d like to see less of a tax increase than is being considered. He suggested the board use money from the unrestricted fund balance to eliminate the $50,000 deficit.

“You won’t have to resort to cutting a position,” he said. “You’ll still have $2 million in reserve.”

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