Canon-McMillan School Board Ratifies Budget With No Tax Increase

Canon-McMillan School Directors on Monday ratified its 2013-14 spending plan — one that included no tax increase.

The $65.9 million budget passed in a 8-0 vote. School Director Mark Dopudja was absent, and Maureen Helinski voted by phone.

This deviated from the proposed budget plan announced last month proposed a 1-mill increase.

According to school Director Joseph Zupancic, this was the second time in three years that the district has not increased the millage contributions, something he attributes to the hard work of the school directors. This is an improvement from the 2012-13 school year, when the school board voted to raise the millage rate by 1.59 mills.  

With the money required for pension rates rising, Zupancic said it was “amazing” that the School Board was able to avoid a millage increase.

“We have a very good financial staff here at the district and they’ve been able to get us to this point,” Zupancic said.

At the end of the meeting, former Canon-McMillan school board Director Nick Cianelli was less positive and more cautionary when he spoke out during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“You’ve got this flood of money coming at you so don’t pat yourself too hard on the back… We’ve been blessed,” said Cianelli.