Layoffs are among the ways officials from the Council Rock School District are looking to reduce their budget deficit for the 2016-2017 school year.
During a public budget forum Wednesday in Newtown, Superintendent Dr. Robert Frasier said the district is looking at raising taxes and reducing expenditures without cutting back on educational programs.
The district’s proposed spending plan for next school year has $227 million in expenses.
Officials laid out the roughly 40 proposed layoffs during the meeting that was sparsely attended. The possible layoffs include: Five classroom teachers, 5.8 special education teachers, a STEM supervisor, a librarian and a number of special education instructional assistants. At the administrative level, a special education supervisor position and an employee who oversees federal programs will not be filled.
There will be also be a 7 percent reduction in building budgets, cuts to the security camera replacement project and additional savings from service contracts, 4 p.m. late bus runs, repairs and maintenance, equipment purchases and the data service group.
Frasier said the district is working with employee unions to lessen the impacts of layoffs of about 40 employees and filling vacant positions with employees whose positions are on the chopping block.
In addition to the cuts, more than 16 retirements will save Council Rock $800,000. Additional retirements would mean additional savings.
In total, the district has planned about $5.3 million in reductions. A 2.4 percent tax increase that is being considered would increase the average property owner’s tax bill by roughly $106 next year and the district would bring in slightly more than $3 million in tax additional revenue.
The district started out with their deficit budget at $14 million earlier this year and was able to whittle that number down. Even with proposed cuts, the tax increase and use of several million from the fund balance would still be needed.
Robert Reinhart, the district’s business administrator, said he is working with colleagues to help keep a lid on rising costs and ever-increasing healthcare costs.
Another concern of Reinhart’s was the constant use of the district fund balance to keep the budget balanced. He raised concerns about the district making it a regular exercise by the board.
Council Rock, like other area districts, are facing increased costs due to the state-run pension program.
At the end of the meeting, Frasier noted the proposed cuts to 4 p.m. late bus runs for the middle and high schools will continue to be examined before a final decision is made.
The board will vote on a final budget on June 2.
