QV Approves Final Budget, Ratifies Deal With Support Staff

The  voted Tuesday night to approve a $41.071 million final budget for the 2012-13 school year, which includes a small tax increase on residents.

The 0.30-mill increase brings the tax rate from its current 20.95 mills up to 21.25 mills. A homeowner assessed at $157,200—the median assessed value of a home in Quaker Valley—will pay an additional $47.16 annually or $3.93 per month. 

Taxpayers eligible for the "homestead and farmstead" exclusion will see a tax bill reduction of $187.28. 

, eight positions were eliminated through attrition, including three teaching positions, but mostly support staff from cleaners to paraprofessionals. A couple of the positions were through . 

Superintendent Joseph Clapper said all Pennsylvania public school districts are challenged by skyrocketing state pension costs and Quaker Valley is not immune.

“We have made prudent cuts to minimize the impact on our taxpayers and we will continue to scrutinize all facets of our operation. Maintaining the integrity and quality of our educational programs and services continues to be our highest priority,” Clapper said in a statement.

The final budget maintains its allocation of $497,000 or 0.37 mill for the Sewickley Public Library of the Quaker Valley School District.

Support staff pact approved

The board also voted to approve a four-year contract with the Quaker Valley Education Association Support Personnel that calls for a wage freeze for the 2012-13 school year.

QVESPA represents 55 administrative assistants, educational paraprofessionals, technology technicians and assistant nurses.

The new agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2011, when the previous contract expired, and runs through June 30, 2015. The QVESPA ratified the contract on June 7.

“Although it is difficult for members to forego a pay increase, this agreement will allow us to maintain stability and provide essential support for Quaker Valley students, families and staff as we go through the next few difficult years,” Cheryl Savage, president of QVESPA Unit 1, said in a released statement. “Our members will continue to work hard and, just as important, continue to advocate for reasonable funding for public schools in Quaker Valley and across Pennsylvania.”

The agreement includes an average annual wage increase of 2.69 percent over the four-year period. In addition, health-care contributions by employees will more than double by the end of the contract.