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Mars Area school board approves preliminary budget with no tax increase

Post-Gazette

Mars Area school board approves preliminary budget with no tax increase

The 2019-20 budget for the Mars Area School District adds 16 positions but does not raise taxes.

The proposed final budget was approved Tuesday by an 8-1 vote.

Superintendent Wesley Shipley said that the $52.2 million spending plan addresses the need for low class sizes, growth in the special education department and increased safety.

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The budget adds one elementary classroom teacher to help keep class sizes low, five special education teachers, five paraprofessionals for special education, one district-wide social worker, one school psychologist and three district police officers. The three officers will work with two Adams Township officers to have one armed police officer in every building, Mr. Shipley said.

Also included is $400,000 for a new math curriculum.

“I really believe that, this year, we are taking some leaps forward in staffing and in curriculum,” he said. “I’m excited about the direction we are heading.”

The budget holds the tax rate at 101.376 mills.

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“I think it is going to be to the benefit of our students…and very respectful of our taxpayers,” said board President J. Dayle Ferguson.

Board member William Pettigrew voted against the budget.

The final budget will come up for a vote in June.

Sandy Trozzo, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com

First Published: May 9, 2019, 4:00 a.m.

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