DV salary gap at $2 million

WESTFALL — Another zero tax increase promise does not mean no new spending in the upcoming Delaware Valley Schools budget. “A zero increase in costs is never feasible,” admitted board member John Wroblewski last Thursday, as the board considered contracted salary and benefit commitments that will require about $2 million in new revenues, or reductions in other areas. The proposed 2009-10 budget allocates $48.3 million for salaries and benefits. The district’s four employee contracts for its 708 employees, contain average wage and benefit increases of 5.1 percent. “That comes out to about $68,500 a head,” board member Sue Casey noted.. Working only on the spending side of the budget, finance committee Chair Ed Silverstone said it will be some weeks before DV can be certain about tax collections and the level of state budget allocations that will supplement the district’s income, revenue budget. Separately, board members and district officials denied a rumor, noted by Chair Bob Goldsack, of district financial problems. “Our balance sheet is stable,” replied Business Manager Bill Hessling.