Schools

Board Hears of Potential $1 Million in Cuts During Budget Meeting

PASD must shave $2.34 million off its preliminary budget if potential state education budget cuts go through.

Some extremes were discussed at Monday’s budget meeting, and some decisions may be unpopular.

However, district representatives outlined $1 million in cuts from the preliminary budget in a public meeting with the school board.

Stan Johnson, executive director of operations with Phoenixville Area School District, noted that in particular, the bus stop consolidations may cause some complaint. Some students could have to walk up to a half mile with the changes. Johnson said that safety would be taken into consideration when revising the stops.

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Additionally, the district stands to lose $43,000 in revenue if Phoenixville Borough chooses to enact its portion of the per capita tax. Council will consider the move at its April meeting. Currently, the district collects the maximum allowed by law of $10 per person. Phoenixville Borough could garner half of that.

The administration is also looking into possibly trimming $50,000 from its legal fees, but that will be discussed at the next budget meeting, March 31.

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Under Act 1, and because the district passed its preliminary budget with a potential 4.43 percent tax increase included, the district is held to that increase. The cap under Act 1 for the district is a 1.4 percent tax increase, but the district can seek special exceptions to exceed that cap.

If the governor's proposed budget goes through as outlined, the district will need to cut $2.34 million from its preliminary budget. The preliminary budget did not include salary increases.

A series of public budget meetings is planned, and the board and administration areon the budget. A number of residents showed up Monday to voice opinions, ask questions and listen to presentations.

At the March 31 meeting, a number of cuts will be discussed. The administration will outline its suggested cuts, looking first to revenue sources and efficiencies and then to cuts with minimal, moderate and severe impact on instruction.  

To see all the presentations from Monday night, view the preliminary budget and get future budget meeting dates, visit the school district's page on the 2011-2012 budget.

A Quick Look at the Potential Cuts, Savings, Additional Revenue

  • Board contractor services: $9,000
  • $34,000
  • Energy conservation/electricity: $100,000
  • Retirements (teachers and custodians):  $120,000
  • Special education/tuition services budget: $512,000
  • Increase occupational privilege tax by 1.4 percent: $17,000
  • Stop busing students to private schools out of 10-mile radius: $30,000
  • Change bell schedule at the CCIU and CAT Pickering: $10,000
  • Consolidation of private bus runs: $70,000
  • Consolidation of bus stops in the district: $30,000
  • Add additional vendor vans to cut down on full-size buses: $10,000
  • Make transportation mailings more cost efficient: $5,000
  • Re-route buses with goal of eliminating four: $100,000


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