The Butler School Board and the district administration continue to talk doom and gloom regarding the 2013-14 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

That’s despite a projected $433,528 state subsidies increase in Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed 2013-14 state spending plan.

Initially, Butler District officials projected a $6.7 million 2013-14 budget deficit, but that figure has been trimmed to $5.7 million — still a dire picture in the eyes of taxpayers.

But when the administration and board have been tossing around budget and anticipated-deficit numbers, they haven’t been forthcoming with early projections on budget line items where its clear that not all 2012-13 budgeted funds will be spent. Such projections would provide a more realistic look at the district’s financial picture than what district officials have been providing.

Not being fully upfront with taxpayers makes it easier to enact a tax increase. Under state guidelines, the district is permitted to increase the real estate millage for 2013-14 to 93.9 mills from the current 91.8 mills.

The board hasn’t yet said whether it actually will raise taxes; taxes have been raised 12 of the past 14 years.

The lack of big subsidy increases from the state over the past several years has presented great challenges for Butler and other school districts. Cuts have been made, and probably more cuts will be coming for 2013-14.

But Butler’s deficit projection for 2011-12 on May 21, 2012, was $3.58 million, with the actual deficit ending up at $182,035 — indicating that a number of budget items showed significant spending that didn’t actually occur.

When the Butler board — or any other board, for that matter — discusses budget numbers, it shouldn’t just talk about what’s bad, when there also are positive numbers or projections also available.

Cheer The anonymous donor who has been paying the Slippery Rock Community Library’s rent for four years deserves additional praise, this time for her willingness to pay for a second public computer for the library.The new computer will be compatible with the library’s other computer and with the county library system.The new addition will make the library, which is located in a building in Slippery Rock Park, even more attractive to patrons. With just one computer, the library has been getting between 20 and 40 computer users per month, sometimes up to four users per day.Knowledge that a second computer is available will encourage others to come to the library to use that resource.The anonymous donor is a strong believer in the fact that even in the Internet age, libraries remain an important community resource. There are other small libraries — and some not so small — that wish they had someone so dedicated to their mission and community role.

CheerHarmony Borough is small in land area, but it’s big in terms of history and preservation.Most of the credit for that rests with Historic Harmony, the organization shouldering the task of preserving and promoting the origins of the town.This year, the organization celebrates its 70th anniversary — quite an achievement considering how groups oftentimes lose their focus and members’ interest and commitment over time.In the case of Historic Harmony this year, the organization will not merely be noting its longevity, but holding a series of events over the course of the year, beginning with this weekend’s Harmoniefest.As a result of the community’s promotional efforts, tens of thousands of tourists visit the borough each year to enjoy Harmony’s interesting, rich German heritage.Helping to make the community an excellent tourist destination are the eight historical properties in the borough that are overseen by Historic Harmony.Meanwhile, parts of the borough are registered as a National Historic Landmark District — important to history buffs.As John Ruch, Historic Harmony president, pointed out, the borough might not be as well poised as a tourist destination if the borough council had not shared his organization’s enthusiasm over the decades. In fact, Ruch said, the town’s history likely would have been lost were it not for the borough council-Historic Harmony partnership.Seventy years have passed, but the town is destined for more success if the long-standing commitment on the town’s behalf remains firmly planted.