RTM School Board Approves $80.3 Budget, 1.7 Percent Tax Increase

The unanimously approved the 2012-2013 general fund budget at its meeting last week.

The $80.3 million budget will bring a 1.7 percent tax increase to residents and will not cut any academic programs.

The 1.7 percent increase means an annual increase of $75 for the average home assessed at $205,300, according to Rose Tree Media School District Finance Committee Chair Bill O’Donnell.

The budget was originally proposed to be $83.1 million and the finance committee was able to bring it down to $80.3 million without cutting programs. However, residents saw .

O'Donnell said that although there is a tax increase, the board was able to maintain the district's current programs and believes the budget is a success.

He said there have been cuts in many areas, including more than $120,000 in administrative salaries.

O'Donnell said that if a resident has applied for the Homestead/Farmstead Act those residents will receive a reduction of $209.

The Homestead and Farmstead Exclusions allows school districts to reduce taxes based on revenue received from the state, generated from gambling proceeds, according to the Delaware County website. The Homestead Exclusion reduces the assessed values of homestead-approved properties, reducing the school property tax on those homes. Residents must apply to be eligible for the program, with the main stipulation being that the homeowner must reside in a home primarily used as their permanent home. Requests must be made through the school district, according to the county website.

Other reductions to the budget include non-instructional and instructional staff members, reductions for printing supplies due to improved printing efficiencies, reduction in the use of heating oil to more efficient gas heating and reduction of equipment requests, according to the Finance Committee Report.

Below is a breakdown of the 2012-13 budget compared to the 2011-12 budget. See the attached PDF file for the complete budget.