Brownsville school board approves 12-mill tax hike
BROWNSVILLE – School directors approved an $8.2 million budget for fiscal year 2002-2003 with a 12-mill real-estate tax hike Friday increasing millage to 51.2-mills. The budget passed with a vote of 5 to 2 with directors Stella Broadwater and Rocky Brashear voting no. Directors Francine Pavone and Roseanne Markovich did not vote because they both left abruptly following a one-hour executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The two were visibly frustrated as they rushed out the building. When asked why they were leaving, Markovich said she had no comment and Pavone said, “Let them vote on the budget,” as she pulled out of the parking lot.
Markovich and Pavone’s vote would not have affected the outcome of the budget either way because the budget had the five votes needed to pass.
Business manager Bill Boucher had originally proposed an 18-mill tax increase with 8-mills to generate funds for a new book purchase ($400,000); 5-mills for the high school renovation project ($250,000); 2-mills to generate a budget reserve fund ($100,000) and 3-mills to balance the rest of the budget. One mill is equal to $50,000.
Boucher said he was able to trim the millage hike to 12-mills, a 30-percent increase, by shaving 4-mills from the book purchase and 2-mills through a 1-percent increase in state subsidized funding.
According to Superintendent Dr. Gerry Grant, the district was able to save $200,000 (4-mills) on the book purchase. She said the three prospective companies the school is considering purchasing books from agreed to “help (the district) in any way, knowing we are in financial distress.”
Boucher said the companies agreed to lower prices. For example, he said one company lowered prices from $70,000 to $58,000 and agreed to split a $4,000 shipping cost. He said the district will not have to defer costs because of the discounts.
He said a 1-percent increase in state subsidized funding means an additional $100,000 for the district which is equal to 2 mills.
Before the budget was approved, Grant mentioned the possibility of furloughing five teachers. But, after the budget was passed, the motion was made yet did not get a second.
In pre-budget discussions, Broadwater, who in a previous interview said she would approve an 11-mill real estate tax increase, said the district may have to consider a pay freeze for teachers and administrators in order to stop the state from coming in and taking over the district.
That comment was answered with grumbling from some teachers in the audience. Last year, the district laid off nine teachers and 16 non-professional employees and imposed a salary freeze.
“I love teaching at Brownsville. This is my life. We can’t keep going to teachers and say take a cut, then make us look like terrible people if we don’t accept it (pay cut),” said Jolene Hough, who has taught in the district for 20 years.
Said Broadwater, “I’m not speaking against the teachers. I’m just saying if we have to bite the bullet, we have to bite the bullet. I’d rather see a freeze than to see the state come in and take over.”
The Department of Education has warned the district that it is at risk of being declared financially distressed, which would mean a state takeover including a furlough of 70 teachers and a 20-mill real estate tax hike.
A pay freeze was not discussed after the board approved the 2002-2003 budget with the 12-mill hike. Boucher said the budget could be reopened if, in fact, the district did get more money from the state, which would lower the millage hike even more.
In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Director Jim Brown as board president. Brown, who will continue as a board member, stepped down due to personal reasons.
Director Andy Dorsey was elected to take his place. Director Ellen Roher was re-elected treasurer for a one-year term.
The board also:
– Agreed to hire Dr. Thomas Hisoro as Redstone Middle School principal effective July 1 at a salary of $63,257.
– Agreed to hire Joseph Rechichar as head varsity soccer coach and Robert Ryan Spence as assistant middle school football coach for the 2002/2003 school year at a salary on Step I of the athletic salary scale.
– Agreed to relocate a portable classroom located at the Hiller Elementary School to the high school to be used as a technology lab at a cost of $3,000.
– Accepted the terms of Colonial Elementary School survey in relation to the lease/purchase agreement with Intermediate Unit 1.
– Approved an architect agreement between the district and Michael Molnar Associates.
– Extended the transportation contract between the district and Brownsville Bus Lines for an additional five years, 2002-2008, at an additional cost of $4 per bus, per day for the length of the contract.