FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - The North Schuylkill school board adopted its 2013-14 tentative budget during Wednesday's meeting with a tax increase of less than one mill.
The preliminary budget is subject to change until its formal adoption at the board meeting on June 19. School districts have until June 30 to approve a final budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The $24,702,013 tentative budget was approved on an 8-1 vote on a motion from Deborah Hampton, seconded by Robin Hetherington. Raymond Reichwein provided the lone negative vote. The budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year is $23,737,981.
The real estate tax will increase by 0.88 mills from 36.79 to 37.67 mills in Schuylkill County, but district taxpayers in Columbia County will see a decrease of 0.43 mills from 38.10 to 37.67 mills, bringing the taxes in both counties to the same rate. The tax increase holds the line with the state Act 1 Index of 2.5 percent. One mill brings in about $170,000 in taxes.
The vote on establishing the tax rates was 7-2, with Hampton and Hetherington providing the motion and second, respectively. Reichwein and board President Charles Hepler voted no.
"We're really not changing anything from last year with the proposed preliminary budget," Hepler said after the votes on the preliminary budget and establishing tax rates. "There are no staff cuts. We're not cutting any programs, and in fact we're adding programming in order to make things work for the kids in our district."
Hepler said there are some changes in the allocation of some funds. In the current budget, the band and cheerleaders had to pay for their transportation to three away games, but the new budget will transport them without cost, but they will have to pay a participation fee.
The annual cost for student parking will remain at $50, but those who go to the vocational schools for half of the school year will also get a $25 reduction. Any students who ride the bus at the beginning of the year but later decide to drive their own vehicles to school will be charged on a pro-rated basis on how many months they drive to school.
"This is a preliminary budget, so it is possible for some tweaking in some areas before June 19," Hepler said, who complimented the work put into the budget by district Superintendent Dr. Andrew D. Smarkanic and Business Manager Robert L. Amos.
Along with the real-estate taxes, the following taxes were also tentatively approved without change from the 2013-14 budget year:
- Occupational assessment tax - $213.50
- Real-estate transfer tax - One percent (shared with school district and municipalities)
- Earned income tax - One percent (shared with school district and municipalities)
- Local services tax - $5
In a prepared statement, Smarkanic the budget reflects the diligent work of the board and administration and the cooperation of district employees to maintain all academic and athletic programs for the next academic year.
"The 2013-2014 preliminary budget reinforces the school board and administration's strong commitment to our students," Smarkanic said. "In planning this budget, we were dedicated and determined to make the least amount of change to our core curriculum programming as possible and to maintain our athletic programs for our students and student athletes. As a result, parents and students of the North Schuylkill School District will see no change in the educational programs. In fact, plans have been implemented for program enhancements at North Schuylkill Elementary for both kindergarten and first grade in the form of a transitional kindergarten and transitional first grade for those students not meeting the core educational objectives in those particular grades. Additionally, the junior-senior high school has been recommended for Middle States Accreditation and should receive official notification of this prestigious award in early fall 2013."
Smarkanic said student athletes will continue to pay a participation fee associated with their sport, and a $10 fee will be paid when the student athlete takes their physical from the school physician. Students who get the required physical from their family doctor do not pay the fee.
"Although this preliminary budget was built without knowing the final funding allocations from both state and federal sources, the district is confident that, because of prudent fiscal planning, we will be able to sustain all of our educational and athletic programs as planned, Smarkanic said.
After the meeting, Reichwein said the reason for his negative vote was because of the tax increase.
"There are so many people in this school district on Social Security who can't afford higher taxes," Reichwein said.
"I don't think any of us really want to raise taxes," Hepler said. "The budget is in a preliminary state. It may or may not change. We're looking at a renovation project at the elementary school due to lack of space and outdated physical systems in the high school building. If we don't have to raise taxes, I would rather us not raise those taxes."