Pitman Boro School District trustees approve amended budget move to 2% levy cap to use roughly $343,000 in restored state aid

The Pitman Boro School District Board of Education voted to amend its preliminary budget and set the local tax-levy increase at 2% to accommodate about $343,000 in restored state equalization aid and the related spending plan.

Board president opened the discussion by revisiting the superintendent’s earlier report on new state funding and the temporary levy-cap provision. Interim Superintendent Steve Crispin said the legislation resulted in “about $343,000” being added to district state aid and described the money as funding that is being made available to the district. Crispin and business staff presented options for how the one-time funds could be used, including restoring teaching positions and a child-study/social-worker role previously reduced.

The board reviewed estimated homeowner impacts if the board adopted a 2% levy increase rather than the previously tentatively approved 1%. District staff said the average assessed home (stated in the meeting as $239,000) would see an annual impact rise from about $74 at 1% to about $97 at 2% (roughly $8 per month difference). Business-administration figures presented in the meeting showed the 2% levy would add approximately $154,924 to local revenue.

Trustees framed the decision as a trade-off between restoring staff and limiting added local tax burden. A recurring staff priority discussed was restoring a social-worker/child-study team member position that serves special-education case management across the elementary school; administrators said that position would account for a large share of the additional spending if approved. Board members also flagged the district’s continuing need to finalize classroom assignments before some special-education coverage decisions can be confirmed.

Finance & Facilities Chair Burson moved to amend item 23 to reflect the 2% levy and updated budget figures; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The board chair said the public hearing and formal adoption of the revised budget will occur at the June meeting.

What happens next: the board will publish the preliminary budget with the amended figures, submit it to the County Office for review, hold the required public hearing and then adopt a final budget at a subsequent meeting.