North Allegheny School Board Expected to Discuss Budget at Wednesday Night Meeting

The 2013-14 budget is expected to be a topic of discussion among the North Allegheny School  board members when they meet Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the District's Central Administration offices at 200 Hillvue Lane in McCandless .

At last report, the district was facing a $5.7 million budget deficit.  

Superintendent Dr. Raymond Gualtieri told board members Jan. 23 that administrators are looking at several options, including a higher pupil-teacher ratio in elementary music, and lowering the cost of delivering student assistance program.

Gualtieri also said more savings will come from early retirements. 

"This board has been very strategic of the last several years in offering early retirement to teachers at the top end of the salary guide. That's a benefit which will be reaped year after year," he said. 

Wednesday's meeting is also the first since a nearly seven-and-a-half hour public hearing on Jan. 30 on the proposed closing of Peebles Elementary school.  

Nearly 100 people spoke, all of them arguing against the proposal.

A vote on whether or not to close Peebles is expected in early May.

Are you planning to attend Wednesday night’s North Allegheny School Board meeting? What do you think the board should do to cut the district's deficit? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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