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The Manheim Township school board Thursday approved a proposed 2008-09 budget that would boost taxes by 4.4 percent — the maximum permitted under Act 1.
The board also approved a 15-cent hike in breakfast and lunch prices next year at all its schools to offset rising food prices.
Without discussion, the board approved the $70.4 million spending plan, which, if adopted in final form next month, would increase the property-tax rate from 15.23 to 15.9 mills.
That would mean an increase of about $100 in the property-tax bill for the average homeowner.
Those who qualify for state tax relief from gambling revenue — estimated at $112 per Manheim Township property owner next year — could end up paying less in taxes than they paid this year.
The 2008-09 budget is about $6 million higher than the current spending plan.
Among the increased expenditures are a 4 percent hike in salaries; $600,000 for a new elementary school reading curriculum; and a $250,000 increase in employee health care costs.
The budget also calls for hiring more high school science and elementary teachers and teachers for the district's English-as-a-second-language program.
More than 73 percent of all revenue is expected to come from property taxes and other local funding sources in the 2008-09 budget. About 16 percent, or $12.4 million, is expected to come from the state.The district plans to maintain a $5.3 million fund balance through the end of next year, representing 7.6 percent of total expenditures.
The meal price hikes approved by the board will increase student lunch prices to $2.05 at the high school and middle school and $1.80 at elementary schools.
At all schools, the adult lunch price will rise to $3.10, and the student breakfast price will increase to $1.15.
Like other school districts, Manheim Township expects to pay significantly higher prices for flour, bread, meat, cheese, milk and other food items in 2008-09.
Bid prices on food contracts for next year have risen anywhere from 38 percent to more than 200 percent on many staples, said Gavin Scalyer, food service director for the Manheim Township, Pequea Valley and Hempfield school districts.
"It was sticker shock for all of us when we saw the increases," he said of county food service directors.
Scalyer said the increases are the result of rising fuel and transportation costs; the weakened dollar; and worldwide shortages of wheat, rice and corn.
"It's kind of like one of those perfect-storm kind of scenarios," he said. "I don't know of any district in the county that isn't planning to raise prices."
(380) (139) (109) (67) (39) (25) (22) (2)The Hempfield school board this week boosted lunch and breakfast prices at all schools by 25 cents, and Columbia Borough School District recently approved a 15-cent hike.
Scalyer said Manheim Township and other districts also are likely to adjust menus next year to eliminate expensive items.
"Everything is potentially on the chopping block," he said.
E-mail: bwallace@lnpnews.com
