Mt. Lebanon 2014-15 school budget balanced with tax increase, reserves

The Mt. Lebanon School Board adopted on Monday an $87.92 million budget for the 2014-15 school year that will be balanced with a 0.54-mill tax increase and $750,000 from the district's cash reserves.

The new tax rate will be 23.15 mills.

The school district, pressured by rising health care costs and retirement obligations, cut about $353,000 in spending by replacing retirees with cheaper, new hires and by reducing overtime as well as the supply and technology budgets. The district expects $160,000 in new revenue by opening the district up to more tuition-paying foreign students on one-year educational visas.

The board passed the budget by a vote of 6-1 with Scott Goldman casting the lone no vote. Ed Kubit and Bill Cooper were absent.

Matthew Santoni is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.