The first look at the 2018-19 school year preliminary budget for the Butler Area School District does not include any program reductions, faculty furloughs, a tax increase or the use of reserve money, but costs will be cut.
District administrators presented the preliminary budget to the school board during a meeting Monday.
Business Manager Nick Morelli and Superintendent Dr. Brian White described to school board members the very early draft of a plan that would not replace 11 retiring faculty and two retiring clerical positions. Teachers already employed by the district could be shifted to fill some of those openings.
Officials say nine custodial positions need to be filled in order to keep up with maintenance needs at district facilities and one additional school police officer is also needed. That makes a total of 475 positions budgeted for at this point.
Administrators believe money could be saved by getting better prices on some contracted services, maximizing transportation value, and streamlining support staffing in certain departments.
This budget does not include an increase in professional development spending as White would like to see happen, but it also does not include a tax increase or the need for any money to be pulled from the district’s shrinking general fund.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network
