CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Area School District Board of Directors adopted the proposed 2009-10 budget without a tax increase at Monday night’s combined committee and board meeting.
Board President R. Denning Gearhart said that he believed the taxpayers should be given a break for a year. He said that taxes are a hard way to fund schools.
The budget proposal calls for $31,969,611 in total revenue sources and $32,383,507 in total expenditures.
In addition to eliminating spending, Business Administrator Sam Maney said that the board has utilized its reserve fund to balance the budget. He said they will draw on more than $400,000 from its fund.
With expenditures up and revenue down, board member Phil Carr expressed some concern.
“What kind of shape are we in for the following year,” he asked.
Maney said that he couldn’t say with certainty, as a lot depended on the state budget. He said he believed that “everyone is holding their breath.”
Superintendent Richard C. Makin echoed his thoughts from last week’s budget work session. He said that he foresees a tough going in the years to come, noting a $3 billion shortfall in the projected current-year state budget.
“How will it all work out in Harrisburg? I have no idea,” he said.
He said last week, “This year is easy. It will only get harder in the years to come.”
At last week’s budget work session, board members asked for zero millage.
Board member Mary Anne Jackson voiced concern about the local economic conditions.
“We need to work with the recession. We need to do what we can do and tighten our belts,” she said.
Agreeing with Jackson, board member Larry Putt said that other entities were making sacrifices across Clearfield County. He said they would need to do the same as well.
Board vice president Dave Glass suggested that the board opt for a 1 or 2 millage increase. He said that he’d rather do so than hit taxpayers with 5 mills next year.
“Typically, I would agree with you. But what happens when these people can no longer pay it? We’re not going to get the revenue. It’s a no win situation,” Jackson said.
Glass was the only board member who voted against the adoption of the tentative budget.
The tentative budget will be placed on display for 30 days and made available to the public May 27. The final budget will be approved in June.
