No tax increase included in Bethel Park’s tentative school budget
The Bethel Park School Board during its April 17 meeting approved a tentative budget for the 2018-19 school year that totals $86.98 million and does not include a tax increase.
The budget will now be available for public inspection at the school district’s administration office as well as on the district’s web site. The board will approve a final version of the budget at the May 22 regular meeting.
The budget represents a spending increase of about 2.7 percent over this year’s spending plan and while the tax rates will remain the same, the school district may have to withdraw $800,699 from its fund balance to balance the budget.
The board also heard from Michael Dokmanovich, who voiced frustration over the lack of running water and bathroom access at the athletic field during recent lacrosse matches. William Keith, director of facilities and services, explained that the water is shut off to the field during the winter because the water lines there are susceptible to freezing, which could lead to major issues that will make the field unusable for many weeks or months.
To prevent problems, the water is drained and an antifreeze solution is placed in the lines. When warmer weather returns, those lines need to be flushed. The process takes about four hours.
“It’s not a simple thing like turning on a valve,” Keith said.
Maintenance workers typically restore water service to the athletic field by mid-April, but Keith said he will try to implement changes that may help provide some limited water service a little earlier next year. Workers could add insulation, an additional valve and make other improvements so that the field might have running water in early spring without risking a water line break.