Jan 25, 2013 By Susan Schmeichel 1 min read

Members of the Bethel Park School Board Jan. 22 approved a proposed preliminary budget of $77,115,484 for the 2013-2014 school year.

The figure is very preliminary, said board members, who explained that, under state law, they are require to approve the proposed preliminary budget by the end of January in order apply for state exemptions. No millage amount has been announced.

Board President Donna Cook said the proposed amount is $3 million more than the 2012-2013 budget, and that district officials plan to make deep cuts in the proposed amount.

The district plans to ask the state for exemptions for special education and retirement funding, said Cook.

“After the exemptions we will still have $1.8 million to cut,” she added.

The proposed budget is available for review on the district’s website.