No Tax Increase for Chartiers Valley

Chartiers Valley School Board unanimously passed the district’s 2011-12 final budget Tuesday night with no tax increase.

will keep property taxes at 19.88 mills and won’t make major cuts to any programs. A property owner whose home is assessed at $100,000 will pay $1,988 in school taxes next year.

because of stagnant state funding and the loss of federal stimulus money, but will be able plug the hole by not replacing six retiring teachers, a custodian and the human resources director. However, the district still will be able to afford to spend more than $1 million on laptop computers for the district’s .

Business Manager Nicholas Morelli called it “a great accomplishment” to formulate a budget that expands some programs without making major cuts.

“Next year, the kids are going to feel that,” Morelli said.

The majority of the funding, $19.7 million, will go to basic instruction and $5.5 million will go to special education. Slightly more than $5 million will pay for debt services.

Superintendent Brian White Jr. praised Morelli and the school board for a forward-looking budget that won’t seriously impact education this year.

“I think we’re doing a number of good things to stay efficient,” White said. “But there are tough times ahead.”

Also during the meeting…

• The board agreed to spend $23,321 to fix a hillside next to the driveway that leads up to the middle and high school campus. School directors Patti Figorski and Pam Poletti voted against the proposal because they were concerned that the district spent a similar amount to fix the hillside a few years ago. BiPCO will install chicken wire, mulch and rocks to make the hillside more aesthetically pleasing.

• to coach the girls’ varsity basketball team this fall and will be paid $8,689.

• School Director Mary Lou Petronsky did not attend the meeting.