SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The public is invited to attend a meeting at the Schuylkill Haven Area School District on Tuesday regarding the budget situation.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the district's Hale Board Room, 501 East Main Street.
"We're running a deficit. Everything is pretty much on the table," Superintendent Lorraine M. Felker said by phone Friday.
The preliminary budget was approved in January of about $18 million, she said. The district faces a $1.9 million deficit.
"I don't picture us making any major cuts right now," she said.
For taxpayers, a tax increase is planned of 0.9 mills, or about a $32 increase for the average assessed house at $35,350 in the district, Kimberly A. Umphrey, business manager, said Friday.
With that, the millage would increase to 39.25, up from 38.35.
The extra tax revenue would generate about $140,000 for the district, she said. The district did not apply for special exceptions because they did want that additional burden on the taxpayers, Umphrey said.
Last year, residents were faced with a 0.5 mill increase, or about $17 for the average assessed borough house, she said.
Felker projected the district will still have a deficit when the budget is approved prior to the June 30 deadline.
"It will definitely have a deficit, absolutely," Felker said.
Using some of the unreserved fund balance is planned, she said.
A figure was not available, she said; however, the district has over 2 million in its account.
Cost cutting measures have been made.
"We have not hired staff," she said of teachers who left, refinanced a bond and changed medical insurance so all employees have a higher deductible.
She said she does not see any programs going away.
"The board has said it does not want to furlough anybody," Felker said.
Costs have increased in the district. Among them are medical insurance costs and required contributions for retirement costs. State funding has decreased.
"The funding for the state is not at all the level it has been in the past," she said.
Districts statewide have circumstances they are confronting and have to find ways to address the issues they face.
"We have been thoughtful stewards of the taxpayers money," Felker said.