The Punxsutawney School Board discussed the proposed 2021-2022 budget at their meeting Thursday evening and considered a tax increase.
The proposed budget expenses are about $46.9 million which includes an increase from last years budget of about $4.4 million or about 10.5 percent.
Business Manager Susan H. Robertson said the average residential homeowner’s increase would be $26. Robertson noted about $1.6 million of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds or ESSERS was factored into this budget. The school district will also receive nearly $9 million is COVID-19 relief funds which is part of the $4.9 billion to be issued in the third round of the ESSERS funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Roberson said about 86 percent of the budget expenses are relatively fixed costs including expenses like salaries and benefits. She noted some expense increases including; wage increases, tuition, an increase for IPads, and transportation. She said the made some cuts in travel, purchased services, debt, capital property, as well as in dues and fees.
Robertson said the proposed budge is a work-in-progress and will be adopted at least 30 day prior to final budget adoption.
The budget will be available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to final budget adaption.
In other business, The board discussed the Site Contractor bid for the canopy and paving project. Robertson said they did receive several bids, but after going over them with representatives of the school district’s architect HHSDR, they are going to ask board members to reject them. Robertson noted they need to re-advertise for the project. A special meeting to award new bids and discuss the proposed budget will be held April 20 at 5:30 pm.
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