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Budget Information

Methacton Board Approves Preliminary Budget for 2012-2013 School Year

The Methacton School District's Board of School Directors voted to approve a preliminary budget for the 2012-2013 school year following a presentation by Methacton Director of Business Services, Denis J. McCall at the January 24, 2012 board meeting.  The presentation outlined the administration's 2.95% proposed increase in the real estate tax that would result in a millage rate of 27.08 and an increase in taxes to the average homeowner of $140.35.
 

In his presentation, Mr. McCall noted that the primary goal of the 2012-2013 budget is to maintain the educational experience in Methacton School District by preserving existing programs and class sizes, maximizing the instructional staff and continuing the development of curriculum.

Mr. McCall outlined the challenges that the economy continues to present to the Board in preparing a balanced budget.  Local tax collections, which comprise 80.8% of the district’s revenues, are down $137,136.  State funding is up a net $1,365,331 and an increase in ACCESS funding is anticipated through reimbursements for certain special education services. The state’s share of the mandated increase in the District's contribution to the Pennsylvania State Employee's Retirement System, or PSERS, is up as well due to the increase in the rate paid on salaries.  That rate will increase to 12.36% from the current 8.65% of salaries, increasing net costs by $931,244.

The preliminary budget was approved at $94,329,241. With revenues projected at $92,471,090, the result is a budgetary shortfall of $1,858,151, requiring an additional .76 mills to balance the budget.  That shortfall is proposed to be offset by a tax increase of 2.95%.  The Act 1 Index limit for the district has been set at 1.70% with an additional 1.25% being requested through the exceptions allowed by the state for the increased contribution to the retirement system.  The Board voted to seed that exception as well at the meeting.

Members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend meetings of the Board, and to follow the preparation of the budget at www.methacton.org/budget.  More information including questions and answers; downloads of budget presentations and a timeline for budget preparation can be found there.

The 2012-2013 proposed budget will be presented for Board approval during the regularly scheduled May 15, 2012 school board meeting. Final budget approval is scheduled for the regular Tuesday, June 19 meeting of the Board.  Meeting agendas and locations are posted on the morning of the meeting, please check the website to confirm meeting times and locations.