Administrators at the Butler School District want to raise taxes to avoid future financial disasters.

Superintendent Brian White presented the school board Monday night with a proposed increase of 3.03 mills to the district's existing 101 mill property tax rate. The increase would generate about $1.2 million, according to director of business services Nick Morelli. It would fund a few rate increases, some counseling and curriculum needs and, perhaps most notably, cash reserves in a district that's essentially been running without any.

“Are we going to start saving for what's coming next, or are we going to wait and borrow?” White said.

White has one key piece of financial data he wants taxpayers to hear when considering the increase: The district is indebted $131,336,951. Here's his kicker: $45,378,567 of that is interest.

“When you wait and borrow, you have interest,” White said. “Now, we're never going to be debt-free. It's not a realistic expectation. But we need to minimize the amount of debt we're carrying and the amount of interest. I think it's particularly heavy for a community that's getting smaller.”

A mill of tax generates $1 in revenue for each $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

The increase would create a $150,000 reserve in the general fund.

It would also help fund a reorganization of capital projects to create a capital projects fund. That money would pay for projects like new roofs and turf replacements; $650,000 would be contributed annually to build up an account for those large purchases.

Opinions from the board members Monday seemed cautiously in favor of an increase.

Bill Halle pointed out that it's an election year and that he's previously opposed tax increases. This time, he said, he can see the argument due to long-term savings.

“There is a cost to not saving for the future,” Halle said.

Al Vavro said if taxes funding incarceration and entitlement programs were as well advertised and isolated in billing as education taxes, their board wouldn't face any backlash.

Halle also made a point to say the increase is not meant solely to give teachers raises. The increase funds a 1.6 percent increase in salary costs.

Other rate increases include a 2.4 percent health care cost increase and a 0.86 percent increase to state pension contributions.

The budget doesn't furlough any employees. It does add a few positions, such as a behavioral specialist and a guidance counselor, positions administrators say are dearly needed.

The board plans to discuss budgeting and taxes further and in more depth at future meetings.

White announced Monday that he wants to turn Emily Brittain Elementary into a “community partnership and demonstration” school. The change, which he's discussing with staff in a Tuesday meeting, was vaguely described Monday as it's in early terms.Basically, he wants to use the school as a testing ground for community and educational improvement programs, using collaboration from local colleges and businesses.The population served by the school has the highest poverty rates of the district.The school's principal, Chad Broman, is switching to an assistant principal role at Center Township Elementary. White said they're actively seeking a new principal who will help facilitate the change.