Pine‑Richland board advertises budget with no millage increase after heated public debate; library purchase approved

The Pine‑Richland School District Board of School Directors voted 6‑3 on May 12 to advertise the district's proposed final general fund budget for 2025–26 with no millage increase, after a night of extended public comment and sustained debate among board members and district leadership.

Superintendent Dr. Miller urged the board to consider a 2.1% millage increase he and administration had recommended to preserve academic and extracurricular programs, calling the higher figure a way to limit recurring structural deficits. The board instead voted to advertise a budget that keeps the current tax rate in place and will revisit the final vote at its June meeting.

The vote matters because administration projected that a modest increase now would generate recurring revenue that helps limit deeper cuts later; administration estimated a 2.1% increase would raise roughly $1.36 million. Board members who supported advertising a flat millage said advertising no increase preserves flexibility through the public notice period and reflects the direction given at an earlier finance meeting.

Public comments at the meeting were heavily focused on the millage question and the prospect of staff reductions. Parents, students and community members described the proposals to trim staffing and programs as immediate threats to special education supports, arts and music programs and class sizes. Student speakers urged the board to prioritize classroom staff. Several parents said the proposed 2.1% increase would be a modest way to avoid program cuts.

Board discussion highlighted competing assumptions about the district's reserves and future revenue. Board members and administration cited different reserve figures during the meeting (discussion ranged around roughly $29 million to $38 million), and administrative staff warned that drawing down reserves repeatedly would reduce options in future years. Administration also said attrition and other measures already reduce next year's operating gap but that further repeated vacancies or program cuts could not be relied on indefinitely; Dr. Miller noted the current plan reduces positions through attrition by about 10.5 full‑time equivalents.

The board motion to advertise the proposed final budget with a flat millage passed on a roll call vote: Yes — Morissette, Weethorn, Miller, Kashani, Hillman, Bruxellis; No — Cassidy, Terchick, Fortier. Administration and several board members made repeated appeals for a longer view of structural deficits and the long‑term risks of repeated tax freezes.

Separately, the board approved a series of library purchases that had included a title previously placed on hold for review. The high school title known in the meeting as The Bog Wife had been flagged for review after a board member raised concerns; after discussions among librarians, principals and administration the board approved the purchase and allowed the book to be acquired for Wexford Elementary and other recommended titles.

Board action items during the meeting also included routine financial approvals, contract and facilities items, personnel-related motions and policy first readings. Several of those motions were passed without extended debate; others (notably the budget discussion and the library acquisition) attracted sustained public attention and multiple speakers at the meeting.

The board will hold a final vote on the 2025–26 budget on June 9, after the 30‑day public advertising period required by law. Administration reiterated its recommendation that if the board opts for a millage increase, earlier increases are more effective at reducing longer‑term gaps than deferring larger increases to later years.

Votes at a glance (selected actions taken May 12, 2025): - Motion to approve minutes as presented — passed (unanimous at time of vote). - Motion to advertise the proposed final general fund budget for 2025–26 with no millage increase — passed, 6 yes / 3 no (Morissette, Weethorn, Miller, Kashani, Hillman, Bruxellis = yes; Cassidy, Terchick, Fortier = no). - Motion to approve financial reports and accounts payable as presented — passed. - Motion to approve budget transfers ($538,104.93) — passed. - Motion to approve the A. W. Beatty Career Center budget for 2025–26 — passed. - Motion to set meal prices for 2025–26 — passed. - Motion authorizing solicitor to initiate certain assessment appeals in Pine and Richland townships — passed. - Motion to approve construction management services for Hance Elementary HVAC by Echols Construction Services — passed. - Motion to approve new library purchases including the previously held title (The Bog Wife) — passed. - Motion to approve updated AP and other instructional resources (total reported ~$37,709.58) — passed. - Motion to approve student handbooks and student discipline code for 2025–26 — passed. - Motion to accept donation and install a 15' Gaga pit at Hance Elementary from the Hance PTO (value $4,900) — passed. - Motion to approve an international FBLA field trip to Belgium and The Netherlands — passed. - Motion to approve a settlement agreement in an ODR special education due process matter (ODR #30451‑24‑25KE) — passed. - Motion to approve MOU with Northern Regional Police Department (multi‑year) — passed. - Election of board treasurer (term beginning 7/1/2025) and reappointment of board secretary — motions passed.

What happens next: the district's proposed final budget will remain on public display for 30 days as required; the board will take a final vote on June 9. Administration said it will continue to refine staffing and expenditure plans and has asked the board to consider the multi‑year implications of any decision. The library acquisitions approved at the meeting will be added to school collections according to district procedures.