Quaker Valley to Vote Next Week on Final 2012-13 Budget

Residents in the could see an increase in property taxes next year if the $41.071 million proposed final budget for the 2012-13 school year is approved by the school board next week.

The 0.30 mill increase would raise the rate from its current 20.95 mills to 21.25 mills and generate an additional $441,235 in revenue for the district to help close a $491,000 budget gap. The remaining shortfall would be covered using $50,000 from the retirement fund balance.

To help balance the budget, Superintendent Joseph Clapper said Tuesday night that eight positions were also cut from next year – all through attrition—including three teaching positions, but mostly support staff from cleaners to paraprofessionals. A couple of the positions were through , he said. 

Despite the cuts, Clapper said projected class sizes are fine.

At 0.30 mills, a homeowner assessed at $157,200, the median assessed value in Quaker Valley, would pay an additional $47.16 annually or $3.93 per month. Taxpayers eligible for the "homestead and farmstead" exclusion will see a tax bill reduction of $187.28. 

Administrators were able to cut $967,284 from the budget proposed budget last month when a 0.35 mill increase was presented. 

The cuts include $274,000 in salaries, which continue to make up the largest portion of the budget at 46 percent. Other cuts included $140,825 for books, $54,500 for supplies and $115,000 from the technology lease. A freeze was also negotiated with Monarch for contracted transportation costs.

Basic education funding from the state has increased all of $3 for next year while funding for special education, a state and federal mandate, would receive the same appropriation as in the 2008-09 school year. No reimbursement is planned for charter and cyber school costs, which exceed $500,000 for Quaker Valley.

Increased costs iEmployee retirement benefit costs alone have increased $663,917, or 40.67 percent, this year due to contributions to the Public School Employees Retirement System. The board sent a resolution to Gov. Tom Corbett last month seeking reform. 

In giving his budget address, Clapper spoke of how the budget season has changed, saying it used to require a six-month evaluation, but is now a 12-month process.

“It’s been a difficult budget for a lot of reasons. We've whittled and whittled,” he said, adding that the proposal maintains a quality education.

The final budget will be voted on June 19.