Township residents can take a close look at the preliminary 2011-2012 budget beginning Thursday.
That is when district officials said they plan to post it on their website, http://www.bensalemsd.org.
The $120.1 million early spending blueprint was first discussed at the school board's meeting Jan. 12. The budget – which represents a 5-percent increase over the 2010-2011 approved budget of about $114.5 million – is expected to be discussed over the next five months.
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As it stands, it would mean a tax hike of about $40 for the average homeowner.
Jack Myers, director of business operations, told the school board an estimated school tax hike of $39.60 for township residents assessed at the median average of $22,000 is down from the $120 figure predicted in June, which was also the increase this past year.
Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
He told the board the main reason for the significant decrease is a new tax assessment of . He said the the district is counting on that assessment being upheld despite Parx filing an appeal in October.
Myers said the district is faced with $5.8 million in increased expenditures including $1.9 million in Intermediate Unit and special education costs, $1.6 million for the Public School Employees Retirement System, and $1 million in medical insurance and federal payroll costs.
Superintendent William Gretzula said the district also has to deal with close to $3.4 million in lost revenue including $2.3 million in federal stimulus funds.
The preliminary version of the budget is expected to be adopted by the school board Feb. 9.
