School Board Approves 2015-2016 Budget

School Board Approves 2015-2016 Budget 
May 19, 2015

At the Monday, May 18, 2015 School Board Meeting, the Board unanimously approved the Final Budget that includes a .40 mill increase with an operating budget of $91,643,749 at a millage rate of 23.55 mills. The Final Budget reflects a decrease from the .42 mill increase in the budget presented at the April 13, 2015 School Board meeting. The decrease in millage is the result of updated revenue and expenditure projections. This budget also requires the use of $750,000 of the fund balance and a reduction of approximately $500,000 in expenditures, including the reduction of three support staff positions. Additionally, the school district will not fill one support staff position and one teaching position due to retirements.

The 2015-2016 budget reflects a millage rate that is under the Act 1 Index limit of a .44 mill increase which is allowable according to inflationary guidelines. The cost of the millage increase to a homeowner is $40 a year more in taxes on a home assessed at $100,000.

School taxes increasing .40 mills

PDE-2028 - FINAL GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Fiscal Year 07/01/2015 - 06/30/2016

At the May 11, 2015 School Board Discussion Meeting, the Board discussed the Proposed Final Budget that includes a .40 mill increase with an operating budget of $91,643,749 at a millage rate of 23.55 mills. The Proposed Final Budget reflects a decrease from the .42 mill increase in the budget presented at the April 13, 2015 School Board meeting. The decrease in millage is the result of updated revenue and expenditure projections. This budget also requires the use of $750,000 of the fund balance and a reduction of approximately $500,000 in expenditures, including the reduction of three support staff positions. Additionally, the school district will not fill one support staff position and one teaching position due to retirements.

The 2015-2016 budget reflects a millage rate that is under the Act 1 Index limit of a .44 mill increase which is allowable according to inflationary guidelines.

The 2015-2016 budget reflects a millage rate that is under the Act 1 Index limit of a .44 mill increase which is allowable according to inflationary guidelines. The cost of the millage increase to a homeowner is $40 a year on a home assessed at $100,000. The vote on the Final Budget will take place at the May 18, 2015 Regular School Board meeting.

Final Budget, Change Orders, MLEA Contract Extension Discussion Tomorrow UPDATED

The Agenda for the May 11, 2015 School Board meeting includes:

Approval of 2015-2016 Budget – The final budget for the 2015-2016 School year will be discussed with the Board. Final approval will be at the May 17, 2015 meeting.

Change orders for May 2015:

Change Orders for High School Renovation Project – The change orders for this month total $97,020 from the contingency and $6,620 from insurance claims as follows:  

a. GC-113-279 to Nello for $93,720 for masonry, steel, elevator issues, ceiling and duct work, walls, concrete and curbs,
b. FP-07-280 to Simplex for $3,300 for sprinklers, and
c. IN-13-15 to Nello for $6,620 for weather damage repairs.
The superintendent recommends approval of these change orders

MLEA Contract Extension – The Board will discuss a proposed 3-year collective bargaining agreement with the Mt. Lebanon Education Association.

Update May 12, 2015 6:15 PM
Mt. Lebanon school board announces pact with teachers

The extension calls for salary increases to remain the same as in the current contract, with the exception of teachers at the top seniority step. 

In addition to the already-negotiated increase, teachers will receive an extra $400 the first year, $700 the second year and $900 the third year. 

The extension also calls for increased contributions for health care. Taking those into account, the net additional cost to the district is 3.179 percent, said Lawrence Lebowitz, school board president.  

While the extension reduces the annual number of work days for teachers, from 197.5 to 195, the number of days with students does not change, he said.

Mt. Lebanon SB plans Monday vote on new teacher contract

With most of the language identical to the five-year agreement expiring June 30, the new contract with the Mt. Lebanon Education Association would not include any increases in salaries along the 16 and a half “steps” each teacher follows up the pay scale as he or she gains seniority, except for an increase at the top level of $400 the first year of the contract, $700 the second year and $900 the third year, said Board President Larry Lebowitz.

Mt. Lebanon school board to OK budget, teacher contract

The Mt. Lebanon school board indicated at its May 11 discussion meeting that the board will likely approve a $91 million 2015-16 budget with a .40 millage increase, or $40 more in taxes for a property valued at $100,000. The board also indicated it would approve a new three-year teachers contract at its May 18 voting meeting.