By Wayne Laepple
MILTON — Just a week before the deadline, the Milton school board adopted a 2009-10 budget during its Tuesday night meeting.
By a 6-2 vote, the board approved the $26.6 million spending plan, including taking $119,395 from the district’s fund balance to offset an expected revenue shortfall. Even with a tax increase of 2.61 mills, about 5.1 percent, in Northumberland County, and 0.18 mills, or 1.8 percent, in Union County, tax revenues will fall short at an estimated $26.5 million.
The new tax rate in Northumberland County will be 53.93 mills, up from 51.32 mills in 2008-09. In Union County, the 2009-10 rate will be 10.48 mills, an increase from 10.3 mills. The board also adopted a $5 per capita tax.
Voting for the budget were Kelly Everitt, Cheryl Rheppard, Jim Callenberger, Rosalind Hamilton, Valerie Bieber-Mertz and Christine Rantz. Brian DeBaro and Stephen Connolley opposed the measures.
In other financial matters, the board approved the transfer of $203,041 from the general fund to the capital reserve and $22,000 from the equipment maintenance budget to the capital reserve fund. The board also moved an unspecified amount from the retirement funds in the general fund in anticipation of a spike in the employer rate from 2010-13.
The board and community representatives discussed a possible dress code for students and faculty. The subject was posted on the district’s blog site, and students were surveyed. In both cases, opinions were about 50-50, according to William Clark, superintendent.
Several people noted that uniforms or a strict dress code would help with discipline and attitudes among the school population, though the rules must be uniformly and appropriately enforced. Clark emphasized that any decision is some time off.
The board also heard a discussion about upgrading cameras on the 18 buses the district uses. The current equipment is first generation and no longer supportable, according to Brian Snyder, business manager. New DVR units capable of holding 96 hours of data are available for $995 per unit. He said federal stimulus funds may be available to buy the cameras, but if not, he recommended taking the money from the capital reserve.
Board member Rosalind Hamilton resigned effective at the end of the meeting.
The board held a 45-minute executive session for personnel and discipline issues.
Board member Cynthia Fawess was absent.
