Earlier than years past, Superintendent Jonathan Ponds and Business Administrator Christina Hunt presented a preliminary 2024-25 School Year budget at the January 4 Board of Education meeting. Most significant in this announcement was the fact that there will be NO STAFF CUTS due to budgetary purposes. “Being able to announce this critical component of the budget at this early date, relieves the angst and hardship that staff members feel in the spring when cuts are often made,” said Ponds. “We want to ensure that staff members are confident in the fact they will be employed and have health benefits to provide for themselves and family members.”
Additionally, the District was able to maintain the ZERO Debt Service Tax Levy as was first reported in November. This means there will be no additional taxes because of the bond referendum. The District aggressively pursued additional interest income and other financial variables in order to maintain the tax levy at ZERO. The only increase to taxes will be from the tax levy of 1.11% and utilizing the health insurance adjustment (banked cap) which will still equate to the 2% cap normally seen every year.
“I give credit to Business Administrator Hunt for her exceptional financial stewardship and management in creating next year’s budget to retain the ZERO Tax Levy and still have no cuts to staff," said Ponds.
“Budget season is often a stressful time. More than 80% of the operating budget consists of salaries and benefits and it is good to know our most valuable assets - our staff - are protected,” said newly-elected Board President Melanie Deysher.
To view the presentation about the preliminary budget visit the District’s website. A complete budget calendar is part of the presentation and plans are being set to meet with the union membership as well as the PTAC and SEPAC. The PTAC will be hosting a Budget 101 Forum in February designed to educate the public on the process for budgeting - the “hows, whys, and timelines from the Governor’s Office and the State.”
For additional information on District initiatives and highlights, please refer to the Superintendent’s
New Year Community message.