Preliminary School District Budget Approved

Unlike , all was quiet at Monday night's annual meeting, where the district's preliminary budget was approved.

The budget projects in the property tax levy, though several factors - such as enrollment and finalized state aid - are still to be determined. Those could have an impact on the final version of the budget, which will be passed in October.

Nevertheless, School Board President Frank Carini said not raising taxes was a priority of his, and he is pleased the district is doing that while not making drastic cuts.

The district saved money by teachers contributing 5.8 percent to retirement costs (as dictated by Gov. Scott Walker's budget) and by not replacing . Oak Creek-Franklin also generated new revenue by opening up seats in the state's Open Enrollment program.

"Overall, the school district is doing very well financially," he said. 

Carini acknowledged that not everyone in the teachers' union is happy (as detailed in Patch ), and noted their health insurance and retirement costs going up. But Carini also pointed to the board's approval of a 1.6 percent salary increase.

"I think we're being very fair," he said.

He added that many aspects of teacher compensation came down from Walker's budget and not from the school district. 

"I know people within the union are not happy, but our hands are tied," he said.

Annual meetings are required by state law and give residents an opportunity to cast a vote on the budget and School Board member salaries and expenses. Five residents and a few nonresident school employees attended the meeting at . 

Salaries and expenses for board members will remain the same as last year. Oak Creek-Franklin board members make $420 per month; the board president makes $450.