When: Eastern Lancaster County school board meeting, May 10.
What happened: The board reviewed options to reduce a $3.36 million deficit in its general fund budget for the 2021-22 school year with a potential 1.5% to 3.0% tax increase.
Overview: Currently, the district projects revenues of $57.61 million in 2021-22, up 1.97% from 2020-21, and predicts $60.97 million in expenses, up 3.15% from the current year. The district will allocate $2 million from its fund balance to cover a sizable portion of the $3.36 million deficit between revenues and expenses. Chief of finance and operations Keith Ramsey said enacting a 1.5% to 3.0% tax increase can help balance the budget. Board members voiced informal support for a 2.0% to 2.5% tax hike, which would decrease the deficit by $683,670 to $855,268. District reserves would be used to cover the remainder, Ramsey said.