Plum School Budget Increases Millage, Eliminates Family & Consumer Sciences

The Plum School Board has approved a budget that increases the real estate tax millage rate and cuts the Family and Consumer Science program at the high school.

On Tuesday, the board voted 6-3 to approve the $56 million 2013-14 school year budget. Board members Shane McMasters, Tom McGough and Loretta White dissented.

The budget reduces the millage rate from 22.2 mills to 18.75 mills. A "revenue neutral" millage rate (due to county reassessments) would have been 18.44 mills. The rate in the budget—generating more than $460,000 in additional revenue—accounts for the maximum increase allowed by the state. 

The budget furloughs three teachers and a guidance counselor, and cuts the Family and Consumer Science program at the high school.

However, many electives that had been cut early on in the budget process—in an attempt to close a $1.5 million deficit—were restored.

Officials agreed on Tuesday to take almost $1 million from the budgetary reserves in order to balance the budget.

Some programs that were saved include JROTC, TV Production, business education, technology education, and middle school French, Spanish and computer instruction. The Boyce Campus Middle College program also was spared (CLICK HERE to read more about that).

According to the Plum Advance Leader, McMasters said he didn't agree with taking so much money from the fund balance. McGough and White said they didn't agree with the millage increase or the elimination of Family and Consumer Sciences.