Board members balk at 18-mill hike
BROWNSVILLE – It may be a choice between buying new books or funding a building project in the Brownsville Area School District, as some board members stressed Thursday that they will not approve an 18-mill real estate tax hike. “I’ll tell you right now, we’re not going to approve no 18-mill increase; no 16; no 14; maybe not 11; I’ll tell you that,” an emotional Stella Broadwater told her fellow school board members Thursday.
The 15 residents in attendance questioned the board, looking to find a way to avoid a proposed tax hike.
But, business manager William Boucher stood firm on his recommendation.
He gave a brief presentation at the onset of the meeting, explaining the need for the 18-mill increase.
According to Boucher, 1 mill equals $50,000. He said 8 mills are needed to generate $400,000 for new textbooks.
Holding up a 12-year-old old math series book (grades K-8), that was dirty and worn with writing all over it, he explained the need for new books.
He said English and science books also will be purchased.
He said another 5 mills is needed to generate $250,000 to begin payment on a $10 million loan (borrowed three years ago) for a building project, which includes renovation and expansion at the high school.
He compared that money to a mortgage payment and said it will be paid over 30 years.
He said another 2 mills is needed to bring the budget reserve fund to $100,000, adding that the fund is in a deficit and the district “needs that cushion.”
The remaining 3 mills, Boucher said, are needed to balance the budget.
“We have a $926,000 deficit and we have no contracts for teachers, food service, custodians or secretaries. We need that cushion. It’s absolutely necessary.”
Boucher’s presentation did not alleviate residents’ worries. Some expressed concerns about the renovations to the high school, saying the school, which now houses high school and former Redstone Middle School students, wasn’t worth the investment.
“There are cracks in the walls (at the high school). It’s unstable, too. To invest more money into that, it’s just not right,” said resident Joanie Gaggonai.
Superintendent Dr. Gerry Grant said the district can’t afford to build a new school.
“We can only afford to make the school a better place,” she said.
In response to questions as to why Redstone Middle School and Hiller and Colonial schools were closed, she said, “We have to meet requirements. We had three feasibility studies that all recommended to close those schools.”
Broadwater disagreed: “They had no business closing those schools and putting our students in that crappy (high) school. I’ll tell every parent that if they allow their child into the high school, they are putting them in danger with raw sewage floating on the floor. When it comes to administration, we have lots and lots of money,” she said.
“It doesn’t seem right to invest in that high school with all the problems,” said Sandra Chan, mentioning the sewage problems there.
After complaints about closing the schools and investing in the high school heightened, Boucher said, “What do you want me to do away with then, books or the building (project)?”
Several people in the audience answered, “building.”
Chan asked the board if there are any alternatives they can consider before adopting a budget with the 18-mill hike.
Boucher said the only other alternative, besides cutting the building project or book purchase, is subsidized funding from the state, which is set only at a 1 percent increase, or $100,000 for the district.
Boucher said he made some phone calls to some legislators and was told the increase could be adjusted to 2 to 4 percent. He said if that happens, the millage can come down 1 mill for every 1 percent that is added to subsidized funding.
Otherwise, Boucher said that if the board does not agree to the millage increase, either the book purchase or building project will be eliminated.