The Altoona Mirror reports that the school board passed the budget last night that will include a 5% property tax increase for residents. The exact amount of how much more residents will have to pay out was not released. 7 members of the 9 member board were on hand to vote on the budget which passed by a 5-2 vote. Manny Nichols and Jennifer Costanza voted against the bill. The budget has a $1.8 million deficit, and many in the district said that there is no other way to cut the deficit, short of cutting programs. Members of the board said that the deficit will be covered with funds from the districts unassigned fund, which will shrink to just over $6.5 million after the deficit is gone, along with capital reserve funds..
