May 20, 2009

GVSD budget shows lowest increase in years

At its meeting on April 20, the Great Valley School Board approved a preliminary budget for the 2009-2010 school year in the amount of $76,100,000. According to School Business Administrator Charles Linderman, the preliminary budget represents the lowest proposed increase in the District since 1985. The Board further refined the budget at its May 18 meeting, lowering the total budget to $75,975,000. For the average taxpayer in Great Valley whose home is assessed at $229,000, the tentative budget represents an annual increase of $69.

“The budget that we see now is one that requires us to restructure how we currently operate in some areas,” said Scott Oswald, Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee. “Our efforts have been focused on how to best preserve the services and opportunities we provide for students with what’s fiscally responsible for our community,” he said.

According to Linderman, the approved tentative budget shows reductions in staffing, supplies, and contracted and professional services. Additional savings result from the reassignment of a school administrator to fill an open position. Heidi Capetola, one of the current middle school assistant principals, will move to the district office in the fall to fill the vacant secondary supervisor of teaching and learning position.

“After an extensive external search, we realized that a perfect candidate for the supervisor’s position was already among us,” said Superintendent Rita S. Jones.

Jones said that because enrollments are projected to be flat or even slightly decreased over the next few years, the District decided not to fill the open assistant principal’s position at the middle school. 

“Heidi’s talents and strengths are a true asset to the District,” said Jones. “We look forward to her continued contributions at the secondary level.”

Great Valley taxpayers with approved Homestead Exemptions will be eligible for rebates from gaming revenue. Those rebates are expected to total $124 per household, approximately the same amount of tax relief as offered last year by the state. Some seniors may also be eligible for increased rebates under the State’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

The Board is expected to approve a final budget for the 2009-2010 school year on June 1. More information about the budget can be found online at www.gvsd.org.