The South Butler School Board has approved a the final budget for the 2020-21 school year with no tax increase, even though administrators are still anticipating a budget shortfall.
During an online school board meeting Wednesday night, officials revealed an expected general fund budget of just over $36 million in expenses with an estimated deficit of around $530,000.
The majority of that shortfall is due to an anticipated decline in real estate tax as well as conservative projection of a decrease in earned income tax. The district anticipates realizing some savings with curriculum material changes and retiring staff consolidation.
The district’s plan to deal with this difficult to forecast situation is to hold the tax constant at this year’s rate of 94.275 mils and pull from the general fund reserve if necessary.
