BUFFALO TWP — Calling the preliminary budget a “worst case scenario,” Freeport school officials presented their $26 million preliminary 2013-14 budget Thursday to a nearly empty public meeting room.

“We want to preserve the educational program at the Freeport School District,” said Chris DeVivo, superintendent, who called the budget “a work in progress.”

Six staff members retired this year, including two elementary teachers, one special education teacher, a business teacher, a biology teacher and a school nurse. All will be replaced, said DeVivo, and the district will realize $300,000 in savings from their retirements. No furloughs are planned at this time, he said.

Stiff millage increases are included in the budget, to pay for new middle school construction as well as employee pension contributions and health care benefits. However, the proposed increases could fall before the board adopts a final budget at a June 12 meeting.

The proposed budget includes two property tax rates to equalize the different assessment methods in Butler and Armstrong counties.

In Buffalo Township, Butler County, property owners would see taxes rise 5.9 mills to 128 mills, said Bill Reilly, district business manager.

In Armstrong County, property owners would see a 3.4 mill increase, up to 56.1 mills, Reilly said.

At the same time, the school board’s finance committee will continue to examine areas where savings may be made. These include:

The Freeport Kindergarten Center may close in 2013-14 if there is room for students at Buffalo and South Buffalo elementary schools. Enrollment at the schools has fallen.

Food service operations may be streamlined to cut down on the district’s contribution to its meal program. The district loses about $30,000 a quarter in food service operations, DeVivo said.

The district may increase the amount of savings it uses to balance the budget, currently at $582,000.

The district may invite advertisers to appear on its website, and develop other revenue enhancements.

“It’s been several years since I’ve seen a substantive tax increase,” said Reilly.

From 2008-09 to 2012-13, Buffalo millage rates increased only 1.35 mills and those in Armstrong County increased only 3.7 mills, he said, even though the state has shifted more responsibility for education funding to school districts.