BY FRANK DELANO
Westmoreland taxpayers will need to pay an extra $2.2 million for county schools next year to fund a budget presented this week by Superintendent A. Elaine Fogliani.
An education increase of that amount would result in nearly a 7-cent increase in the county's present real-estate tax rate of 44 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Fogliani said most of the proposed school increase results in a change in a state funding formula. The new index requires the county to contribute $1.7 million more to education next year.
In addition, Fogliani is seeking additional funds for pay increases, new teacher positions and other school expenses.
"Just to make the required local effort is going to require a significant tax increase," she told the School Board Monday night. "So much of it is something over which we have no control."
Fogliani's proposed budget includes almost $400,000 for 5 percent pay increases for most school employees and $500 increases in county contributions to employee health-insurance plans.
The higher salaries would also increase school pension costs by $173,000.
Fogliani said the schools must also purchase three new buses for $231,000.
She said she was trying to save money by trimming about $150,000 from the costs of maintaining, operating and improving the county's school buildings.
She said next year's total school spending of $18.4 million would be about a 3 percent increase over this year's $17.8 million.
She emphasized that her proposed budget could be changed by details of a state budget now under debate in the General Assembly. The School Board will hold a public hearing on its budget March 17.
Frank Delano: 804/333-3834
Email: fpdelano@gmail.com
|
TOTAL: $18.4 million
CHANGE: 3 percent IMPACT: Would require HIGHLIGHTS: 5 percent pay increase for most school employees, three new buses, cuts in building maintenance and operation. NEXT: School Board will hold a public hearing March 17. |