KC school board approves $25.5M preliminary budget
The Karns City Area School District board recently approved a preliminary budget Monday with a slight millage increase to make up for an eliminated tax.
There were no major changes to the more than $25.5 million budget, according to superintendent Eric Ritzert.
The budget is similar to last year’s, Ritzert said, with increases added that are typical each year.
“We always put a line in the agenda that all taxes are reenacted,” he said. “There’s nothing new being taxed, except we’re eliminating the per capita tax.”
Per capita taxes are $10 annually for every adult in a residence, Ritzert said. He added that the lost revenue will be replenished with the slight millage increase.
The board also approved a search for a rental vehicle to use in the district’s summer driver’s license program.
“This year we’ve been unable to locate a vehicle,” Ritzert said. “We’ve called every auto dealer in Butler, Clarion and Armstrong counties. We’re pushing down into Allegheny County.”
Ritzert said supply chain issues seem to be the cause of the failed search. He added that the board is considering purchasing a used vehicle.
“Kids can get certified to drive on a course near their school. Kids do better in this environment with a teacher they’re comfortable with,” he said. “It’s a wonderful program; we want to continue it in any capacity. We’re not giving up.”
The board discussed the possibility of having two monthly meetings, one for a workshop and one for voting, in order to accommodate members and the public.
Though the motion did not pass, Ritzert said they are discussing possible solutions to make the monthly meeting end earlier.
“We’ve thought about moving up the voting meeting and public participation,” he said.
In preparation for bids to be received on the Chicora Elementary School building project, the board will hold a special meeting to approve chosen bids sometime in June. The deadline to submit bids is June 2.
The next school district board meeting is June 20.
