Property owners in the Wyomissing School District will see a
1 percent property tax increase this month.
The district's $29.80 million 2012-13 budget raises the property tax rate to 28.57 mills from 28.28 but calls for no major cuts to staffing or programs. The annual tax bill on a property assessed at $100,000 will increase about $29 to $2,857.
Business Manager Corinne D. Mason noted Monday that the total budget is down from 2011-12's $30.09 million.
"Last year was actually more difficult for us," she said. "We're one of the few districts in the county whose budget decreased this year."
Much of the savings came from seven staff retirements, achieved through a retirement incentive that offered a $15,000 lump payment to professional staff who had been with the district at least 10 years.
Only one of those positions - district psychologist - will be filled.
Five of the positions that won't be filled are at the high school: an English-as-a-second-language teacher, a librarian, a guidance counselor, a practical arts teacher and a world language instructor. The sixth is an elementary reading specialist.
"The fact that we had that many teachers take the retirement (incentive) took a lot of the burden off, if you will," Mason said. "We're taking a different approach when we do our budget now, with not filling the teacher positions and everyone taking a hard look at the budget and only budgeting what was needed. It's what we do need, and what aligns with our curriculum."
The board last week approved merit raises for administrators and some support staff. Negotiations over the teachers contract continue, Mason said.
The district's $29.80 million 2012-13 budget raises the property tax rate to 28.57 mills from 28.28 but calls for no major cuts to staffing or programs. The annual tax bill on a property assessed at $100,000 will increase about $29 to $2,857.
Business Manager Corinne D. Mason noted Monday that the total budget is down from 2011-12's $30.09 million.
"Last year was actually more difficult for us," she said. "We're one of the few districts in the county whose budget decreased this year."
Much of the savings came from seven staff retirements, achieved through a retirement incentive that offered a $15,000 lump payment to professional staff who had been with the district at least 10 years.
Only one of those positions - district psychologist - will be filled.
Five of the positions that won't be filled are at the high school: an English-as-a-second-language teacher, a librarian, a guidance counselor, a practical arts teacher and a world language instructor. The sixth is an elementary reading specialist.
"The fact that we had that many teachers take the retirement (incentive) took a lot of the burden off, if you will," Mason said. "We're taking a different approach when we do our budget now, with not filling the teacher positions and everyone taking a hard look at the budget and only budgeting what was needed. It's what we do need, and what aligns with our curriculum."
The board last week approved merit raises for administrators and some support staff. Negotiations over the teachers contract continue, Mason said.
Just a quick note to let you know that I appreciated your insights about the topic. Quite helpful for what I am interested in these days.
ReplyDeleteforeclosure south florida