SAINT CLAIR - Teachers could still lose their jobs, class sizes could increase and programs could be eliminated in the Saint Clair Area School District.
About 60 people showed up at the regular monthly meeting of the school board Wednesday to listen to what the school board had to say and to question them.
To close the budget deficit that, as of Wednesday, was about $770,000 from an initial $1.65 million, there is the potential of the furloughing of 17 1/2 teaching positions; the elimination of some programs, including art, music, family consumer science, library, Spanish and guidance; larger class sizes; and other employees such as instructional aides, office staff, cleaning and maintenance crew and special education staff could lose their jobs.
"Please keep these teachers," Tracey Zukuskie said as she cried while standing in the back of the room.
She said the teachers are important to the lives of the children who attend the school.
Adults and children spoke of the role teachers have in the lives of children and the community. Several children said music hits the right note for them in their schooling and life.
Two fifth-grade students, Makenna Burke, 11, and Paige Mervine, 11, both fifth-graders who play the flute, said music brings them joy.
"Music allows some students to stand out (and be noticed)," Burke said.
To some, music might not be important as sports, but to others, it is, they said.
"Music is our sport," Mervine said. "So please reconsider your decision, and please keep our music program here at Saint Clair."
Board solicitor Michael O'Pake said the school board members care about the students and the teachers.
"When you have the state come in, they're not going to care what you say," he said.
The board said they are trying to find additional revenues to plug the hole in the budget. A final budget must be approved by June 30.
"Next month we have to close a $770,000 gap. Nobody wants to do anything that will impact our kids," Jason Bendle, acting superintendent/principal, said.
However, the district must continue to try to find additional money.
School board President Michael Holobetz thanked the children and members of the public for coming out to the meeting and talking to the board.
No decisions have been made yet, he said.
"As far as furloughs go, that is going to be our last resort," Holobetz said.
There were also questions about how the district has no money set aside from its unreserved fund balance.
Holobetz said the district is expecting money from the state, about $300,000, from a recent building project but does not know when that money will arrive.
Costs associated for paying for children who go to charter schools and cyber schools is costing the district a lot of money.
About 40 students in the district attend those schools, costing the district about $425,000, Bendle said.
The school board voted Wednesday to adopt the proposed $10,823,732,00 budget and advertise it. Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for June 4 after the 6 p.m. work session.
District business manager Terry Schane said the budget has a 0.91 mill permitted maximum, amounting to an extra $16.40 for the average house assessed at $18,138 in the district. Increasing the millage to that would bring the rate to about 31.385.
The state Department of Education approved special exceptions for retirement and special education expenses in the amount of $109,000, Schane said.
If the tax increase is approved and the exceptions are used, it will add an additional mill, costing about $16 more.
A mill brings in about $112,000 to the district, Bendle said.
As of Wednesday, the revenues were $10,068,342, and expenses were $10,823,732.
Bendle said he was not surprised about the turnout Wednesday.
"I'm proud of our community that they are fighting for what they believe in. It truly shows they care about their children and their school, and we do to," he said.
Board members Erin Murhon and Christopher Schultz were not at the meeting.