A report in the Altoona Mirror indicates the board has approved its budget for $30 million, with a $3 million deficit to be covered by the districts reserve fund balance. The 2% tax increase means that a homeowner with a property valued at$100,000 will pay an additional $22 per year. Superintendent Betsy Baker said at last nights meeting that the districts costs are going up just like everyone else, and the district tried to keep any tax increase as low as possible. Retiring business manager Kathy Hazenstab said that expenses such as salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies and retirement have all risen and contributed to the deficit.
