Budget Cuts Return To School Board Agenda

UPDATE @ 7 a.m. Tuesday: Here’s our coverage from the Monday board meeting: State College Swim Program May Survive Budget Cuts

An array of possible cost cuts will up for discussion again at tonight’s State College school-board meeting.

Board members and school administrators are trying to identify nearly $3.5 million that they can trim from the school district’s $109 million annual budget. The cuts should allow them to cap any property-tax increase this year at three percent — a key goal of board members.

They have already talked about shrinking a swim program; reducing field trips, late buses and utility use; and cutting labor expenses through attrition. A budget document suggests that 18 jobs may be eliminated through attrition.

The document, available today through the district’s website, outlines more than two dozen cost-saving and revenue-generating options. One likely change would cut administrators’ salary increases from four percent to 1.5 percent, a move that would save about $150,000 a year.

Board members are scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. in the district administration building, 131 W. Nittany Ave. The meeting will be open to the public. The board is expected to finalize a budget by June.

Keep an eye on StateCollege.com for ongoing coverage.

Earlier coverage on StateCollege.com: School Services, Jobs Eyed as Board Mulls Budget Cuts