The Kutztown School Board voted unanimously June 15 to adopt the final 2015-16 budget with a zero-percent tax increase. There will be no staff cuts.
According to David J. Miller, business administrator, the most recent changes to the budget were made several weeks ago, allowing for a budgetary reserve of $200,000. Previously, this reserve was $100,000.
“In discussion with board members, we thought it best to raise that to $200,000 just to cover any unanticipated expenditures that may come up throughout the year.”
The General Fund Budget has revenues of $30,150,932 and expenditures of $31,974,172, supported by a committed and uncommitted fund balance of $1,823,240.
The following tax amounts support the budget: Real Estate Tax (29.9543 mils); Per Capita Tax, Sec. 679 ($5.00); Per Capita Tax, Act 511 ($5.00); Local Services Tax ($5.00); Earned Income Tax (0.5%); Amusement Tax (5%-10%).
Also, the budget allows for a part-time librarian position to move to full-time at the Kutztown Elementary School. A retired special education teacher will not be replaced.
The board voted unanimously to approve the final budget. Board members Dr. Christine Ryan and James Shrawder were not present for the vote.
In other news, the board voted to allow the Kutztown Area Historical Society to keep the cornerstone from the Albany Elementary School property. The property will be auctioned on July 11.
The cornerstone contained a time capsule that the historical society wanted to retrieve before the auctioning of the building.
The historical society has agreed to fill the space left by the removal of the cornerstone.
They will hold a walk through at the Albany Elementary School building on July 10, the evening prior to the auction. The walk through will allow for those who hold memories of the building to share those experiences in recording stations. The contents of the time capsule will also be revealed.
Also on June 15, Superintendent Katherine D. Metrick shared with the board and public that the district will receive a $40,000 grant, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Ed Myers, who worked extensively to submit the necessary application materials.
“Dr. Myers worked and worked and worked, and on the day it was due, he pushed submit and lost everything for the grant,” said Metrick. “It had taken him hours to do it. He worked all weekend long and re-created the grant, knowing it was beyond the deadline.”
Dr. Myers called the state and explained what had happened. His efforts resulted in Kutztown being the only district in the state to receive the grant.
The grant was also given to the Kutztown Borough and the university.
“The grant is to try and combat alcohol abuse and substance abuse and help youngsters make good decisions,” said Metrick. “It’s something that’s just really a priority right now with the devastating effects of substance abuse that are going on.”
The grant is another step forward in addressing the ongoing drug problem in the community.
The Kutztown School Board will hold their next meeting on July 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kutztown High School Library.
