A proposed tax hike in Greater Latrobe School District may be dodged with additional education funding from an economic stimulus package.
"It's kind of like a hope and a prayer, but right now that's what we have," said district business administrator Carl Baumeister after Tuesday's school board meeting.
The district may get $1.6 million in additional funding from the state Department of Education for use by the end of 2011, Baumeister said.
That would include $693,000 for educating disabled students; $345,000 in additional basic education funding for the 2009-10 school year; $325,000 for educating disadvantaged students; $275,000 in state fiscal stabilization grants; and $11,000 for technical education enhancement, according to the department Web site.
Baumeister said $600,000 in basic education funding — or a 6 percent increase from last year — has already been proposed for the district in Gov. Rendell's preliminary budget.
The additional basic education funding could eliminate the need for a 1.3-mill real estate tax increase that otherwise would be required to provide wages for six positions, including four elementary level instructors, Baumeister said.
"If all this goes through, there is a possibility that the tax increase included in the current preliminary budget won't be needed," he said.
If not, the increase amounts to an estimated $52 hike for properties with a market value of $195,000 and an assessed value of $40,000. The district millage rate is 69 with one mill generating nearly $333,000, Baumeister said.
In order to receive the stimulus funding, the district in many cases has to apply for it and explain how it would be used.
"We have to justify our spending to the state," he said.
The district's administration plans to take part in an online seminar Thursday explaining the stimulus funding available and how it can be acquired.
The district must adopt a budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year by June 30. The preliminary budget has to be passed 30 days prior to adoption.
The board also voted to review Latin courses because of a declining interest.
"It's something we must do. We're sorry to see it happen but we can't afford to employ a teacher for so few students," board member Kay Elder said.
In other business, the board approved hiring Foothills Architecture & Consulting of Latrobe to perform a districtwide feasibility study for $9,750.
