The Butler Area School Board has approved a proposed final budget for next school year that does not include a tax increase, but one could be added before the final vote next month.
The latest figures given to the board by district administrators forecast a surplus of over $500,000 for the 2018-19 school year without any tax increase. This is the result of anticipated reduced debt service payments and a reduction in health care costs.
Butler Superintendent Dr. Brian White talked to the board about the impact of not requesting a tax increase as it relates to capital projects that will need to be funded in the future. He said money can either be borrowed at a later date with added debt service that has to be paid back or money can be set aside now from tax increases and then used down the road when necessary.
White also set out a budget projection for the next five years based on conservative estimates that would see next year’s over $500,000 surplus decrease to a nearly $2 million deficit by the 2022-23 school year if taxes are not increased or staff is not reduced during that time.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network