The Mars Area School Board does not anticipate the need to raise taxes in order to meet their 2019-20 school year budget.
This year’s general fund budget of $52.2 million is about $2.3 million higher than the current year’s budget due to some hiring, as well as curriculum materials and instructional tools to better implement the district’s K-12 mathematics program, according to the district.. Dr. William Pettigrew was the only board member to vote against the proposal.
The proposed budget includes hiring one additional elementary teacher, five special education teachers, five paraprofessionals, one social worker, one school psychologist and three school police officers. Most of the funding to pay for this increased spending will come from a $1.4 million expected increase in revenue from local sources.
“I think that these expenditures will help to continue to support programs that we already in place,” said Dr. Wesley Shipley, superintendent. “I’m excited about the direction that we are heading.”
District revenue from local, state and federal sources is anticipated to net a $1.9 million increase and will be used to offset expense increases. More than one million of the increase in revenues is from local sources, according to officials.
The proposed 2019-2020 budget is available for public review at www.marsk12.org as well as at the District’s school buildings and administration offices. Parents and community members may submit questions or comments regarding the proposed budget to Mars Area School Board via e-mail at [email protected] or at any public board meetings.
The board is expected to adopt the final budget in June.
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