Officials from the Bristol Township School District say they are working to reduce costs as they near the end of the budget season.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
According to data from the district, officials are still working to fill a $3.8 million budget deficit before the end of next month. The school system is expected to spend about $127 million next year.
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To help fill the gap, officials from the district expect taxes to up about 2.7 mills, which means the average homeowner will spend about $95 more next year. The 2.7 mills is the highest increase possible without the district calling for a referendum to go above the state’s Act 1 limit. Over all, according to district administrators, the increase will bring in about $2 million dollar, which would leave the budget gap under $2 million.
The district is planning to save money through 24 retirements, supply cuts, the end of the late bus, a nursing staff change and other measures, Superintendent Dr. Sam Lee said. Work on the budget, which must be approved by June 30, is still ongoing, Lee said earlier this week.
A state-mandated increase to pension funding, contract provisions and special education funding costs will provide for spending increases in the 2014-2015 district budget.
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Lee said the district will receive about $875,000 from a state block grant. Depending on the state budget that is passed, the cash-strapped district, which is taking on building three new elementary schools to replace an aging nine, could also gain additional funding.
Residents at a late May budget meeting raised concerns about a tax increase to district officials. Many used the meeting to better understand the budget process and offer suggestions. Two members of Bristol Township Council also attended the meeting.
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District officials have stated many times the new schools would save money through operating efficiencies in the coming years. The district has approved a bond to help pay for the project.
When asked this week at a public meeting what would happen to the district’s finances in coming years if state PlanCon reimbursement was not provided for the construction costs for the new schools, business manager John Steffy said it would create “serious cash-flow issues.”
Last year, the school district budget was approved nearly last-minute and included cuts to staff.
