The Homer Center School Board will consider increasing the real estate tax rate to help reduce a $920,000 deficit in the proposed budget for the 2018-19 School year.
At Thursday night’s meeting, the board voted 5 to 4 in favor of approving a $16,951,036 budget at an amended real estate tax rate of 17 mils, a .5 increase from the current rate, which equates to a difference of about $40 for tax payers.
Justin Smyers, Logan Dellafiora, Robert Valyo, and Michael Bertig voted against the proposal.
Board member Gerald Bertig, while voting in favor of the proposed budget, expressed concern with the deficit:
“I think we’re taking a very risky path, and it’s out of character for this board, by my experience over the years, to do that.”
With numerous variables yet known, including the State’s budget, business manager Gregory Cessna said there’s time to work on reducing the deficit before the final budget is passed next month:
“This is a work in progress ’til the very last minute, and, I had some things come across my desk this week that aren’t incorporated into the budget just because I got them so late.”
In other news, the board decided to table the vote on the new school start times, as concerns arose in discussion that the twelve minute delay could affect working parents who drive their kids to school, as well as the question of who would supervise children dropped off early.
Lastly, the board accepted the retirement of secretarial aide Susan Snyder after over 28 years with the district. And, Lilly Sacik and Faith Buggey received Wildcat recognition awards, and Abigayle Ginter is the Kiwanis Senior of the Month. Congratulations from your hometown radio stations!
