Expenses of the renovation project of the Weatherly Area School District are pushing the 2020-21 budget toward a tax increase. The 2020-21 budget is estimated to be $14,642,476.

Without a tax increase and holding the current millage of 48.84 mills, the district would spend nearly a million dollars more than it takes in. Raising the millage 1.91 mills, the state maximum, will cut that projected deficit to just under $736,000.

Approval at Wednesday’s school board meeting would set the 1.91 mills increase as next year’s likely school tax rate, 50.75 mills, although it will still be possible for the board to find ways to reduce that - or at least reduce the deficit.

The increase in millage would raise the tax bill on a property assessed at $100,000 by around $100.

Director Gerard Grega prodded the administrators and the other board members to find savings. He asked if the district is saving any money while the schools are shut down.

District Superintendent Teresa Young explained that the schools are still operating, with teachers teaching, cafeteria workers preparing meals and school bus drivers still being paid.

Business manager Natasha Milazzo said the district bought some $20,000 for personal protective equipment for school employees and spend another $7,000 for internet hot spots for students who did not have internet service. (This money should be reimbursed by the federal government, likely in 2021.)

One of the savings may come by not adding another kindergarten teacher. It’s not clear yet how many students will be in the incoming class, though it’s getting close to the number where the class may need to be split in two. Adding the second teacher would cost, with salary and benefits, nearly $105,000 per year.

Another savings may be found in spending for police officer positions, though this will be a personnel matter, discussed in executive session.

A combined caucus and board meeting is scheduled for May 13, starting with the caucus at 6 p.m., then continuing straight into the voting meeting. For June, all meetings were pushed back a week to provide more time for details of the budget to be finalized.