KC board to consider tax increase in budget
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MILL HALL -- The Keystone Central School District Board of Directors will consider approving a preliminary budget for its 2024-2025 school year with a 3.55 percent millage rate increase.
Not much discussion was had during the board's work session Thursday, but the board briefly looked over a presentation provided by Business Manager Joni MacIntyre. MacIntyre was not available to give the presentation that evening.
MacIntyre's presentation offered updated numbers regarding the subsidies and funding proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget as of April 2024.
This included the state subsidy for 2024-2025 that is projected to include $23,956,638 for basic education and $4,004,427 for special education.
According to MacIntyre's presentation, the proposals featured a slight increase on both aspects with an extra $449,668 for basic education and $118,178 in special education.
Notable expenses projected for the 2024-2025 school year include:
-- An 18 percent health insurance increase of about $1,775,119. At previous meetings, MacIntyre noted she had not prepared for that large of an increase and emphasized insurance rates have seen a marked high throughout the Commonwealth -- with some schools seeing a 22 percent increase.
-- A Public School Facility Improvement grant match of $2,197,622.
-- A Liberty-Curtin construction project bond obligation of $365,000. MacIntyre's presentation noted this is compounded in out years and is being reflected in future budgets.
-- Expenses that could be between $300,000 to $1,000,000 for charter and cyber charter schools. The district pays $13,615 per regular students in charter; $27,101 per special education student; and, on average, $12,775 per student for cyber.
The presentation noted the $2.18 million deficit previously presented to the board -- an increased number following the insurance rates -- was decreased to $1.16 million.
This has been done through various ways included:
-- $600,000 in Capital Reserve funds
-- $700,000 through staff attrition and resignation
-- $45,000 decrease in insurances
-- $305,000 from the Charter/Cyber Reserve
-- $90,000 decrease in substitute expenses
-- $130,000 from the budgetary reserves
-- $50,000 decrease in district wide software expenses.
In total, MacIntyre's presentation notes the district cut $1,920,000 in expenses from its budget.
MacIntyre and the district's administration recommended the board approval a budget with a 3.55 percent tax increase. According to her presentation, this would see an extra $930,073 added to the budget.
The board did not offer much by way of discussion. However, it did hear from a member of its staff regarding how it considers the value of various aspects within the district moving forward.
Suzanne Rainey, a kindergarten teacher at Liberty Curtin Elementary School, spoked to the board during public comment.
Rainey said the board, although valid in focusing on test scores and financials, are missing key parts of the district's identity.
"Today I come before you not just as an educator but as a voice for my colleagues and students who achieve remarkable feats everyday within the walls of our school," Rainey said. "It's disheartening to observe that our recent discussions have been saturated with concerns about budget deficits and low test scores."
Rainey noted this concerns are valid, but said they "paint an incomplete and unfairly bleak picture of our schools' landscape."
"We're modeling essential behaviors as we stress being kind, helping our friends, families and even strangers. Everyday I witness extraordinary examples of learning, resilience and innovation that go unnoticed," she said.
Rainey told the board about a recent example, where her classroom waited 21 days for chicks to hatch.
"Not only did they investigate the chick's life cycle, learn about the process, practice their measuring skills using various tools to measure the chick's growth -- my students learned how to care for the chicks," she said. "My five and six year old students succeeded in raising chicks from egg to chick, leading each other through the process."
"These types of achievements seldom make it to our school board discussions. I've watched my students grow not just academically, but as human beings," she continued.
Rainey said focusing strictly on financial and test scores don't paint a full picture.
"When we focus solely on financial shortcomings or standardized test scores we risk ignoring the broader dimensions of education. The creativity, critical thinking and character development," she said. "Moreover, this singular focus can diminish the very people at the heart of our educational system -- our students and teachers."
Rainey urged the board to use a balanced approach when it evaluates the schools' performances.
"Let's create a space at these meetings and beyond to celebrate the successes and innovative projects that define the spirit of our school," she said. "Let's balance our ledger not just financially but emotionally and educationally as well."
Following her comments, Board Member Polly Donohay commended Rainey for offering her thoughts. She noted her own daughter is in Rainey's classroom and said she's done good job with the kids.
"I want to say that her getting up there and talking says a lot. When was the last time we had teachers come up here and just talk to us?" she said. "We've always had this stigma that teachers can't talk or they'll have a target on their back. I think that it's important for everyone to note that we are making changes here in this entire district."
The school board will consider approving a proposed budget at its voting session on Thursday, May 9. After the approval, it will be put up for public review with the board expected to adopt its 2024-2025 budget at its voting session Thursday, June 13.
Further information about the proposed budget may be found at https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/keyc/Board.nsf/Public