Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board Approves $4.75M Budget, Tax Increase

T/E School Board Discusses 2016-2017 Budget at Finance Committee Meeting and Budget Workshop

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board held a Finance Committee Meeting followed by a Budget Workshop on March 8, 2016 at Conestoga High School, the district stated in a news release.

The meeting and workshop provided the Board and community with a detailed analysis of enrollment, staffing and revenue in the development of the 2016-2017 budget, according to the district.

The Board approved a 2016-2017 preliminary budget with an operational imbalance of approximately $4.75 million. To close the projected operational deficit, revenues from property tax increases of 2.4% from the Act 1 index and 1.9% for state-mandated retirement payments and special education needs were also included in the 2016-2017 preliminary budget.

Officials said the district is still facing almost a half million dollar operational deficit after including these proposed tax revenues that must be filled by existing reserves.

The final budget adoption, which will include the property tax rate for the 2016-2017 school year is scheduled for the June 13, 2016 regular Board meeting, according to the news release.

During the Finance Committee meeting, the financing of the proposed One:One Computer Initiative was discussed. The Finance Committee agreed on the lease option, with virtually no impact to the 2016-17 budget, as the best approach to moving forward with acquisition of laptops for high school students next school year.

The implementation of the One:One Computer Initiative will continue to be discussed at the upcoming regular Board meeting on March 28, 2016 at 7:30 pm at Conestoga High School.

The development of the 2016-17 budget will continue to be discussed at the upcoming April 12, 2016 Finance Committee meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Conestoga High School which will be followed immediately by the second Budget Workshop at 7:30 pm.

The T/E School Board and administration will continue to work towards closing the budget gap and setting the final tax rate between now and final budget approval in June 2016. The preliminary budget is available for public review at the T/E School District Administration Offices and on the District web site at www.tesd.net under “Our District” and “Budget”.

The T/E School Board encourages public participation during the budget development process so that the budget reflects the input of joint stakeholders.

All School Board committee meetings are open to the public and have public comment periods.