School Budget: No Tax Increase, New Programs for Students

The passed the final budget for the 2012-13 school year, which cuts spending, has no tax increase for residents, and includes several new programs for students.

The budget uses approximately to balance the budget. Business Administrator for Wissahickon, Wade Coleman, said approximately $.5M is dedicated to the district’s budgetary reserves, which is budgeted monies for unseen expenses.

By law, the district’s fund balance must be at least eight percent of the overall expenditures. Coleman estimates that Wissahickon will be at 20 percent at the end of the 2012-13 school year.

The 2012-13 budget also includes the , which will equip all of 6^th and 9^th grade with netbooks and laptops in September.

The budget also includes $125,000 for new applied arts/technology materials as part of new courses offered at the high school and middle school. New courses include Sports Entertainment and Marketing, Retail Management, International Business, and more.

“I commend the administration for the many cuts they did bring forward” while not affecting students and keeping the district apace with technology, said Marjorie Brown.

Barbara Moyer said she approves of reducing the , both items that the board had removed from being cut or discussed during the budget season.

“I will gladly spend the money on AP tests…it affects student achievement,” said Board President Young Park.

The Board also debated the option of borrowing. Financial planners gave the board and administration different scenarios for borrowing. The board can borrow between $100M and $120M at the same debt repayment the district are paying during the 2011-12 school year, of $6M.

Park said the and the needs in the district. “There are certain needs in this high school,” said Park.

However, he added that the board has to be prudent managers when it comes to money and borrowing money.

Charles McIntyre added that any borrowing would not affect the 2012-13 budget.

“We need to start thinking ahead,” said Moyer.

Park added that the board has not made any decision to borrow any money.

The vote on the 2012-13 budget passed 7-1, with Moyer dissenting and Burunda Prince-Jones absent.