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Budget Matters Discussed In Troy [Daily Review, The (PA)](Daily Review, The (PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TROY - The Troy Area School Board is set to vote on some budget- related matters next week. This week, school directors discussed the items. The board will vote at its upcoming meeting on approving the preliminary 2014-15 budget in the amount of $23,411,922. According to district business manager Traci Gilliland, the spending plan has a $1.5 million deficit. The board is seeking to close the gap, possibly through a trio of cuts, taxes, and use of reserve money. Also, the board will consider approving the advertisement for the Intent to File Act I Referendum Exceptions for the budget. Troy's Act I index for the 2014-15 school year is 2.9 percent. As noted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the Act I index is used to determine the maximum tax increases for each tax the school district levies, without PDE exception or voter approval. A school district may seek approval for referendum exceptions to increase tax rates by more than its adjusted index, according to PDE. Gilliland said the board would seek the special education and retirement exceptions. Back in January, Gilliland noted that Troy's proposed preliminary budget had assumed a 2.9 percent increase in mills, in accordance with the Act I index - about a 1.07 mill tax increase. In a special meeting last week, school directors passed a motion to approve the purchase of the former Guthrie Clinic building in Troy at a cost of $250,000 for use as the new school district administration building. It will be converted into the new administration building, with mostly cosmetic work taking place. The current administration building, which has deteriorated over the years, is located at the corner of Taylor and Elmira streets in Troy. Its declining structural condition was the principal reason board members decided to seek a new location for the district's administrative offices. Gilliland said the costs for these projects are only estimates. The board will also get a quote to see how much it would cost to move the IT department from the high school to the Commons building and also purchase some IT hardware. It was noted at the meeting that next week's agenda will include a vote to employ Lori Sollenberger as a personal care aide. Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: [email protected]. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |