A preliminary budget approved last month includes a .59 mill increase, which would boost taxes on a $200,000 home by about $120 a year.
But Board President Mark Hart said unexpected revenues totaling nearly $2 million, combined with a possible $1 million surplus for 2007-08 could be used to offset the proposed millage hike.
Mt. Lebanon has held the line on school taxes for the past several years, yet still has operated with yearly surpluses which were funneled into several undesignated fund balances. District administrators say they want 6 percent, or $4.2 million, of the $70-million-plus budget in a separate surplus fund, which is used to help maintain favorable bond ratings.
Overall fund balances, however, boost the overall fund balances to about $14 million. At last month's budget meeting, settlements from Covenant and Asbury Heights added $1.1 million to this year's budget. An additional settlement from the Galleria will lead to between $700,000-$1 million in one-time revenue and an additional $350,000 in yearly recurring revenue.
Superintendent John Allison said May 5 several educational programs will be enhanced in 2008-09. The district will continue its enhanced math program in the elementary grades, and will hire two mathematics facilitators to maximize the curriculum.
There will also be new mathematics curriculum for grades 8, 9 and 10, and a new textbook will be used to implement that program. The FLES and FLEX programs will be continued, with pilot programs continued in French and German. The district will also hire an instructional technology coach for the Classroom for the Future program. The coach will help build the technological capacity of the schools. Boy's Lacrosse is now recognized as a PIAA/WPIAL interscholastic sport for 2008-09 and the district will fund that sport.
Mt. Lebanon will also hire an additional school psychologist, who will assist in evaluations.
"We're not going to go back and reinvent the wheel," Allison said. "This process will conclude in a couple weeks with the board approving a final budget."
Residents who spoke May 5 were divided between those who wanted to see the budget balanced without a tax increase, and those who supported enhanced programming that would boost Mt. Lebanon's standing in the region.
Several residents expressed concerns about the class size issues, particularly in the elementary schools, where some sections have 23-25 students per class.
"I encourage you to keep looking at how you can reduce the millage rates in the future," said resident Randy Legersky. "We are going through a downturn in the real estate economy and there are lots of houses on Washington Road that haven't sold for a very long time. I think if you can find other revenue streams for the budget you can stimulate the real estate market and bring up the value of our homes."
"I'm here to ask the board and the administration to increase their focus on reducing class size in the elementary schools and to develop a process to target large classes and those on the bubble," said Sharon McCarthy.
"My older son is a third grader at Jefferson and in his four years, he has twice been in classes of 25 including his kindergarten year.
"The focus should be on the early elementary grades. Research regarding the benefits of smaller class sizes is summarized as part of the balanced scorecard. Small classes in the early grades generate substantial gains for students," McCarthy said.