BTSD Budget: Some Cuts Off Table; Proposed Tax Increase, Layoffs Remain

Layoffs and a proposed tax increase remain on the table in the Bristol Township School District as officials continue to meet to try to close a budget gap that is just over $6 million.

Some of the most drastic proposed cuts presented to the school board this week were taken off the table Wednesday night, officials said at an emergency public meeting Wednesday. Elementary band, AP classes, co-curricular activities, sports programs, kindergarten, department chairs, bus transportation and school security officers will be safe when a budget is voted on by the school board.

“Transportation is not mandated,” board member Patricia Koszarek said. “Does that mean we’re going to cut it? No.”

As the district looks to close the large gap, several option are still on the table.

Here are some of the proposed cuts being weighed:

• Elimination of a district ESL teacher and a special education teacher at Mary Devine Elementary School in Croydon
• Reduce overtime by over $90,000
• Replace 11 full-time custodians with nearly two dozen part-time employees
• Cuts to the HR Department’s budget
• Cut to planned and requested technology upgrades
• Remove a vacant assistant principle position
• Eliminate assistant transportation coordinator
• Eliminate 18 full-time teaching assistants and hire 36 part-time inclusion specialists
• Cut money budgeted to student worker program
• Two support personnel could be laid off
• District-wide elementary school supply budget cuts

The district has just under $124 million in expenses and is projected to take in $117 million in tax revenues during the 2013-2014 school year, officials said.

A tax increase to bring in more money is also being considered by the cash-strapped district.

The district can raise just over $1.5 million if they increase taxes by the Act 1 limit of 2.2 percent. Due to the district being approved by the state to use an Act 1 exception, an additional $1.15 million could be brought in approved.

The average tax bill on a home assessed at $18,800 would go up between $79 and $135 a year. The exact figure depends of on how much the board decides to increase the millage rate, which is already among the highest in the county.

District officials said district unions working with the district on possible concessions and pay freezes could also help fill the budget hole. Teachers in the audience said they were going to contact their union leadership to see if they were willing to meet with district officials to talk.

Business manager John Steffy said the district could use a portion of its nearly $7 million in reserve funds to help fill the budget gap.

Bristol Township and nearly every other district in the area has been hit hard by increasing school employee pensions, special education costs and dwindling revenues.

Fairless Hills resident Brian Lachewitz said that if the board does not make tough this year they will only be worse next year. One example he cited was the rising contribution to state mandated school employee pensions.

The district has laid off a large amount of staff over the past few budget seasons.

VIDEO: See a BTSD employee appeal for her job Wednesday night

School board members Fred Black and Katherine Backman said they both supported keep all district employees.

“I don’t like that idea of adding the additional tax increase,” she said, citing the cost it would have on poor and elderly residents.

“I live on a fixed income,” board member Helen Cini said. “If there’s a tax increase, I’m next to move out.”

Residents and district employees alike asked officials why the cuts weren’t mentioned prior to this week.

On Tuesday evening, Lee told LevittownNow.com during a phone interview that no layoff were planned at that time. Residents said over the weekend they were also hearing no layoffs were to be on the table.

“What changed in two days?,” Mike Walsh, president of the union that represents district maintenance workers, asked.

Lee answered the questions by stating layoffs were a consideration but didn’t become serious until officials got down to the “nuts and bolts” of the budget.  He added that he “didn’t want to alarm and panic people.”

School board President Angela Nober said officials worked through the weekend on the budget.

The board is expected to vote on a budget Thursday night at a 7:30 p.m. meeting at the administration offices. Lee said that board legally has until the last day of the month to vote on a balanced budget, so the vote could be pushed.