Proposed budget underfunded, but hesitantly OK'd

District must fight for lost state and federal revenues to balance budget WESTFALL — While they admitted they didn’t believe they would get all the state and federal money they needed to support it without additional local taxes, the Delaware Valley School Board on Thursday approved a proposed $70.4 million, 2009-2010 school operations budget. To be finalized as is in June, the budget would require restoration of about $2 million in state and federal aid to retain its current zero-increase in property taxes. If that funding is not forthcoming, expenditure cuts or new taxes will have to replace it, officials said. The district’s zero tax increase “plan A” budget was completed and balanced, Budget and Finance Committee Chair Ed Silverstone said Thursday. “But before this meeting,” he said the state Senate cut the anticipated $1.7 million annual increase in district aid, and diverted federal stimulus funding, which together totaled about $2 million. Silverstone said that lacking those funds, cuts of $725,000 in program expenditures and a tax increase of some $925,000, about 2.5 percent, would be required to balance a “plan B” budget. The increase would equate to about $75 on a current $3,000 tax bill. By law, the board was required to act on a budget at the May 14 meeting. With the prospect of reopening the budget after the July 1 beginning of the fiscal year, should cuts be required, board members voted to approve their planned zero-increase budget and look for the state to restore the $2 million. “Everyone has to get in touch with their legislators. We have to try to send a message,” said board member Diane French. French said raising taxes on many people who can’t afford them now “is not an option.” Resident Deanna Margiore agreed, saying district residents must insist that the money be restored. “Voting for plan B is throwing in the towel,” she said. “The state should not be allowed to use our stimulus money to solve their problems,” argued board member Sue Casey. On the other side of the argument, board member Pam Lutfy said she could not support a budget when she doesn’t know where the money is coming from. Lutfy said that proposing a zero-increase only raises false hopes for local taxpayers. “Is (passing the plan A budget) fair, if the money doesn’t come through?” she asked. Candidate Jack Fisher went further, saying local taxpayers taking advantage of the services today should pay for the bulk of them today. He said accepting federal bailout money was simply transferring debt to future generations. “It borders on immorality. Turn down all the stimulus money,” he said. After a lengthy discussion the budget was approved by a 6-2 vote, with Lutfy and Sue Schor voting no. Board President Bob Goldsack was ill and did not attend the meeting.