BUTLER TWP — While there are still major variables that may impact the Butler School District’s budget, the school board announced Monday night the proposed budget next year of $100.8 million would have a $4.4 million deficit in the worst case scenario.

That is without factoring in $1.9 million in proposed state funding and without a property tax rate increase, which could bring the district $943,000 if it was raised to the state maximum of 2.3 mills.

This year’s school budget is $100 million, while the current tax rate is 94.8 mills.

Salary and benefits for next year make up the majority of the budget at $43.2 million and $27.8 million, respectively.

Those categories increased by more than $3 million from this year, despite the recent building consolidation decision that was approved. Nineteen positions, including 10 teachers, were eliminated through attrition, and several other positions were furloughed in the consolidation plan.

The plan closes five elementary schools next month, with an estimated savings of about $1.5 million.

While board members did not discuss whether there would be an increase in the property tax rate, several members said their support of consolidation hinged on the savings countering any property tax hike.

Twenty-two positions are being replaced, and 15 new positions are being added to open a new alternative and special needs school at Center Avenue Elementary this fall, said Debbie Brandstetter, business manager, who presented budget details for about an hour.

She added the district is losing a lot of tax revenue from several businesses that have appealed their property assessments. For example, the board Monday night approved a settlement for Clearview Mall, which alone will pay $209,000 less in yearly taxes than before.

However, the district overall will take in $40,000 more in local revenues than last year. The biggest change anticipated is having more student tuition in the district than before, because opening an alternative and special needs school will likely bring students back to the district who are attending Clarence Brown and St. Stephen’s Lutheran Academy, among other schools.

Also at the meeting, board member Don Pringle filed, but then later rescinded, a Right-To-Know request against Bill Halle, saying Halle may have breached confidentiality during executive session meetings through e-mails to members of the public. Pringle also wanted Halle to be reviewed by the state ethics commission.

“I have some very deep concerns about confidentiality violations,” Pringle said. “I’m not trying to start a witch hunt.”

The two went back and forth on the subject for about 20 minutes.

“That’s a great thing at election time,” Halle said, confident he did not violate any privacy issues.

The primary that includes school board representatives is May 19.

Before the board adjourned, Pringle said he would rescind his submission as not to appear he was doing it for political gain, but said he still had concerns about the matter.

Both Halle and Pringle are running for re-election.