SCASD board of directors approves preliminary budget
On Monday evening the State College Area School District board of directors voted unanimously to approve the preliminary budget for the 2016-2017 academic year.
Last month, the board voted to approve a proposed preliminary budget that included a real estate tax increase of 4.32 percent.
That same tax increase was reflected in the preliminary budget approved on Monday evening, a value that can be changed during the coming months during the preparation of the proposed final budget, which is scheduled for presentation on April 25.
As of now, the board is expected to vote on whether or not to approve the proposed final budget for 2016-2017 on May 9, with a public hearing on the calendar for June 6.
The 4.32 real estate tax increase can be broken down as the sum of the 2.4 percent allowed under the base Act 1 Index, the maximum real estate tax increase that is allowed for the district, and the 1.92 percent for referendum debt exceptions.
During the review process, the administration recommended that the board choose to take advantage of all referendum debt exceptions, which requires the district to tax to the Act I Index limit of 2.4 percent.
Exceptions that are not taken during the current year of eligibility are forfeited.
Later in the evening, Ed Poprik, director of physical plant, provided an update on the State High project.
On Jan. 13, a “Notice to Proceed” was issued, starting a countdown on the 1,275 days contracted for the project’s four phases. The front parking lot was permanently closed just a few days later on Jan. 18.
Contractors have already started isolating the first section of the South Building scheduled to be demolished and they are also in the process of constructing the alternate student walking path to the east of the construction zone near O’Bryan Lane. The installation of a fence has been slowed due to cold weather.
Frank Ready: 814-231-4620, @fjready
This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 9:27 PM with the headline "SCASD board of directors approves preliminary budget."