What’s the 422?

The Perkiomen Valley School District has a $6.1 million shortfall, but the board and Business Administrator Jim Weaver were quick to point out during the budget presentation at tonight’s board meeting that the numbers presented are very preliminary.

The shortfall would amount to an increase of 11.34 percent for district taxpayers, but the Act 1 cap for the district is set at 4.1 percent, meaning that real estate taxes in the district can only increase up to $2.2 million unless the issue goes to the primary ballot and voters approve a steeper increase and/or if the district qualifies for certain exemptions from the cap.

The numbers are in the very early stages, and many variables exist, Board Member Bonnie Neiman pointed out. The district is still awaiting several key percentages from the state, and those will determine the final budget figures.

The district also initially looked at hiring 11 new staff members, but that number has since been slashed to one new technology assistant. That’s a huge reduction, Superintendent Dr. Clifford Rogers noted, but he said that everything should be able to get done without increasing the staff by 10.

Weaver noted throughout the presentation that he was estimating what the numbers from the state would come in at. Those numbers won’t be finalized for several months. Tonight’s meeting marked the second budget review for next school year. On Feb. 9, the preliminary proposed general fund budget will be presented and is slated for adoption. Two more budget presentations will follow on March 9 and April 13, and the preliminary general fund budget presentation and adoption will take place May 4. Final general fund approval is slated for June 8.