May 20, 2014 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – A tentative budget for the 2014-15 school year was approved Tuesday by the Central Greene school board with a possible tax increase of up to 0.72 of a mill and the use of $1,804,916 from the fund balance and debt service funds.

The increase, along with using money from the fund balance and debt service, would enable the district to balance its budget. However, as in previous years, board members emphasized this is just a proposal and the budget is still being worked on. Budget workshops will continue into June, when the final budget must be approved. The next budget workshop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 27 in the administration building.

Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed 2014-15 state budget does not include any additional funding to the basic education subsidy of $5.53 billion, the primary source through which school districts receive state funding. The lack of an increase in the basic subsidy combined with unfunded mandates and rising pension contributions has several districts across the state considering tax increases in tentative budgets for 2014-15.

Proposed expenditures in the Central Greene School District are up $1,356,547 over the current school year to $32,791,152 with anticipated revenues of $30,579,568.

Accepting the recommendation from its budget and finance committee, the board approved the 2014-15 contribution from the district to Greene County Career and Technology Center of $885,979.46 for tuition and $99,859 for debt service payments. The tuition increase is $42,982.17. There was a decrease in the debt service amount due to refinancing the debt that was incurred in 2004 for renovations to GCCTC.

In other matters, the board accepted a proposal from P.E.M. Co. educational and contract furniture for cafeteria tables for Waynesburg Central High School in the amount of $20,369.96.

Due to required budget advertising, the board has changed its June meeting date to June 24.