Even with an expected shortfall in revenue due to COVID-19 circumstances, the Mars Area School Board will not raise taxes in order to meet their 2020-21 school year budget.
Next year’s general fund budget anticipates a decrease in local revenue of over $2 million as well as a year-end deficit of nearly $700,000. The budget passed by a vote of 7-2 with board members Megan Lenz and Christine Valenta in opposition.
One of the ways that the board will reduce costs is by eliminating the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovative Practices effective June 30th. The director of that department is being asked to accept a demotion to the currently open position of substitute elementary school principal.
This budget is the 12th in the last 13 years which has not included a tax increase for Mars taxpayers.
