Balanced budget means no tax hike
Posted: Sunday, May 22, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 9:00 am, Sun May 22, 2011.
Morrisville schools - What was expected to be more than a $2 million deficit in the Morrisville School District's 2011-12 school year budget ended up being far less: Zero dollars.
The district now has a balanced budget, thereby avoiding any tax increase, officials said. The school board is expected to vote on the final budget in June, a day before the state's June 30 deadline.
The district's expenditures are expected to total $17.22 million, and revenues $16.97 million, leaving a difference of $250,000, which will be covered with savings, district business administrator Paul DeAngelo said at last week's board work session.
DeAngelo said the $2 million gap presented earlier this year as part of the proposed budget included the district's wish list, but most of the wishes were removed.
About $1 million from the special education budget also was removed. Tony Gesualdi, acting supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services, said that the number was set high in January because projecting the special education enrollment and the special programs that students will need is hard.
The district's recommendation for a final budget includes a spending and salary freeze for the 2011-12 school year and central office administrators - about 10 support staff reductions - three early teacher retirements and severance packages.
The district administration also is considering the elimination of some extra-curricular activities, including a combination of high school and middle school programs, district spokeswoman Pat Wandling said.
She added, "The gap came in part by the revenue reduction of about $675,000 from the commonwealth and a proposed 21 percent cost increase from the Bucks County Technical High School" for the approximate 50 students who attend the Bristol Township school.
Parents and school board candidates told the board that they believed the numbers were inflated earlier this year.
They also criticized the district for not communicating the budget progress better with the tax payers, arguing that without budget details parents can't offer any suggestions.
The 2011-12 school budget is not in its final stage and may be altered before final adoption once the district finds out if it'll get additional revenue from the state, according to DeAngelo.
To review the budget, log on to www.mv.org and click on Business Office.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyBurbs.com Follow Gema on Twitter attwitter.com/deadlineduarte
12 comments:
the 2 million plus projected deficit was a scare tactic by the board the primary over poof it's gone
"DeAngelo said the $2 million gap presented earlier this year as part of the proposed budget included the district's wish list, but most of the wishes were removed."
In these tough economic times, why would the board/admin even consider a preliminary budget filled with wishes? I agree there's games going on.
I had heard the Mrs. Colon is one of the support staff that is being let go. I have no verification on this though. Ivan Colon was pretty outspoken in favor of the Morrisville Matters group during the primary election. If Mrs. Colon is now being let go, it is my suggestion that she talk to a lawyer about this. Would someone who knows her pass this along to her. Its not that I like the district being sued by anyone since it will be all of us paying for it. Its that I would be willing to pay if it means that our current almighty group of school board directors will finally caught in their dirty dealings.
Tami Breznan (sorry if I messed up the spelling) was let go too I hear. She is a Morrisville resident.
I do not know her personally but several people have said Mrs. B is not a good performer, and has to have lots of stuff done for her. Yet she was hired into a higher pay position.
Can't stand Mrs.B. She is another one who has let her "position" go to her head. The kids can't stand her.
I saw a SOC sign in a trash can today.
Hehe!
The cuts were done by seniority after a certain date of hire and Lisa Colon fit into those dates. Unfortunately when you go by seniority good people may be let go with not so good people. Its the typical way to make cuts, not always the most popular or have the best outcomes, its just the way.
Watch out everyone, there are many many more things to come
Did anyone bother to ask how important all of these cut positions are to the functioning of the school. Many things that are normally done for the benefit of the children will no longer be possible. Who will suffer? The children of course!
the parents running under morrisville matters always ask these types of questions. Getting an answer or finding more than a few who really care across the table is a whole other story.
stop with "the children will suffer" thinking. this is a cold hard money oriented group of people. state the business case for keeping the aides. keep in mind theyre only cutting the aides becaus the build the school board handcuffed the stop the school board from negotiating a new teachers contract. the next teachers "negotiation" will be just like the rest of this boards negitiations-my way or the hiway. vote these people out while theres still a school district to save.
tomorrow night, 7:30pm school board meeting in LGI room at high school...Parents, students of MHS, go to the meeting, sign up to speak, let your voice be heard about your blue and gold
and put a face to the budget #.
Let's all give a shout out to Bill and Melinda Gates. They're two people who know what's wrong with the educational system. Check MET project-pilots are in place for 2010-11 through-out the US, Pittsburgh is one. It's good to see people who have money, not afraid to speak out and implement a solution for the common good of all those concerned, (teachers,students,parents,taxpayers etc.)
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