19 Jun 2012 — Bucks County Courier Times By Manasee Wagh/Staff writer
The Centennial school board approved a $98,421,412 final budget Tuesday evening.
A tax increase of about $65, or 2.49 mills, will be levied for the average homeowner. The current tax bill is $2,998.51, or 113.58 mills. That's for a home with the average district assessment of $26,400.
The tax bill includes about half a mill to support the purchase of nine more school buses for elementary schools, and related operating costs for those buses.
Before passing the budget, the board spent more than two hours trying to find a solution to reasonable start and end times for elementary schools this fall.
After several weeks of trying to find a solution, and new options introduced by board members late in the more than two-hour meeting, the board voted 5-4 on a new option. Members directed the administration to find a solution that conformed to a school day for all three elementary schools from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition, no student is to spend more than 40 minutes on a bus ride, said board member Mark Miller, who introduced the motion.
Board President Andrew Pollock said he didn't like the tax increase entailed by the busing solution.
"But we need a budget tonight, we don't have a choice," he said.
The board narrowly voted to pass this budget. Members Kati Driban, Michael Hartline, Betty Huf and Jane Lynch voted against it.
"Final budget raises taxes $65" Bucks County Courier Times 19 Jun 2012: A3
