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Sto-Rox budget cuts positions, holds line on taxes
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Sto-Rox school board Thursday approved a $23.9 million preliminary 2012-13 budget that holds the line on taxes for the seventh straight year while cutting 19 positions.
Proposed personnel cuts include dean of students, a behavior specialist, nurse, kindergarten teacher, half-time custodian, security guard, technology assistant, business teacher, and four paraprofessionals. The elementary time-out center is also slated to be cut.
Also under the plan, the district's middle school Spanish program will be no longer be offered and its teacher will transfer to the high school, to replace a teacher being furloughed.
Also, furloughs for eight teachers and six support staff were approved during the meeting. School officials said the furloughs were the result of "alteration of programs and declining enrollment" and are expected to save $906,800 for the district.
Even with these savings, there is $1.13 million shortfall that will be covered by dipping into the district's $2.3 million fund balance, school officials said.
Sto-Rox, which services McKees Rocks and Stowe, has the 13th highest tax rate in Allegheny County and a 92 percent collection rate, according to Superintendent Michael Panza.
The board is expected to adopt a final budget June 21.
First Published May 18, 2012 1:16 am
