What is the Future of Easton's School Budget?

The Easton Area School Board will not apply for state exceptions that would allow the district to go beyond a 2.1 percent tax increase.

The board came to that decision Tuesday night, according to board member Frank Pintabone.

That means it needs to find other ways to balance the 2013/2014 budget. 

The district is looking at a $4 million budget gap next year, even with the projected 2.1 percent tax increase and an infusion of $500,000 from its savings.

That means the owner of a property assessed at $60,000 -- the district average -- would pay $68 more next school year in taxes. 

The board has until June 30 to adopt a final budget, but is expected to approve a preliminary budget much sooner. Last year, the district cut 169 jobs in an effort to balance its budget.

State law requires school districts to apply for exceptions from the Pennsylvania Department of Education before raising taxes beyond a certain point. Those exceptions can only be for the cost of pensions, construction or special education.