The 2020-21 Butler Area School District budget proposed by district administrators still has a lot of questions attached but does not a tax increase.
The proposed budget of just over $104 million passed by unanimous vote during a school board meeting Monday night with local tax rates remaining stable at just over 104 mils.
According to Superintendent Dr. Brian White many figures have been adjusted and continue to be adjusted due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but he remains cautiously optimistic.
“I’m optimistically cautious because everyone is working together,” White said. “I’ve been talking to many folks. I think we all agree to monitor and adjust to things moving forward for the betterment of our students and our employees.”
“But it’s hard to pull the trigger on anything right now until we have a little more clarity on where we’re at,” White added.
No teacher furloughs or employee suspensions are expected to be necessary with savings expected to be realized through attrition and a temporary suspension of hiring to fill open positions. The district also anticipates modifications to their cyber school program to result in savings. Last year the district raised local tax rates by just over 3 mils.
This budget will now be posted for 30 days before school board members will vote to approve a final budget in June. Before taking a final vote, the tax rate could be revised lower, but not increased.
