Kutztown Area SD committee weighs 4% tax plan, special-education exemption and staffing cuts to close $155,000 gap

Summary

At a May 27 Budget & Finance Committee meeting, staff presented a 4% tax scenario that would leave a roughly $155,000 shortfall and a 5% Act 1 special-education exemption scenario that would produce a $67,597 surplus; trustees pressed for details on class sizes, redistribution of duties and a 5% scenario slide for next meeting.

Christian (staff member) told the Kutztown Area SD Budget & Finance Committee on May 27 that the district’s proposed final budget under a 4% tax increase would reduce the projected shortfall to about $155,000, a figure the board had approved earlier as the nonbinding proposed final budget.

Christian said using the Act 1 index plus a special-education exemption would add roughly $230,000 in revenue, erase the $155,000 deficit and leave an estimated $67,597 to go into fund balance. “You could with the additional revenue, which is a little bit, close to $230,000 … you then heat up that $155,000 deficit and there’s a 67,597 dollar surplus,” Christian said.

The staff presentation also flagged near-term adjustments that could help close the gap: posting of finalized assessed values (staff expects about $50,000 of additional local revenue largely tied to a recently sold building) and delaying a planned student van purchase (vehicle #14, which is nearing…

Kutztown Area SD committee weighs 4% tax plan, special-education exemption and staffing cuts to close $155,000 gap

Summary

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