But an additional 29 positions - all in the food service department - were considered for outsourcing but were spared.
The outsourced jobs could save the district about $600,000 per year, according to projections.
According to business manager Jolinda Wilson and Superintendent Greg Hoover, the district faced a $1.4 million budget deficit for the 2013-14 school year when the budget process began earlier this year with the unveiling of state proposals. The district's preliminary budget is $35.249 million.
The board opted to accept the recommendations of administration and outsource 16 school bus routes for the 2013-14 school year and 17 more during the 2014-15 school year. The move is expected to save $300,000.
The sale of school buses back to Wolfington Bus Co. could also net the district an additional savings of $2 million. The change affects 33 Greencastle-Antrim employees.
The measure passed by a 6-3 vote. Board members Tracy Baer, Joel Fridgen, Ken Haines, Mike Still, Brian Hissong and Eric Holtzman approved the move. Board members Melinda Cordell, Dr. William Thorne and Michael Shindle voted against the change.
In addition, the board voted 7-2 to outsource maintenance and custodial staff. Shindle and Thorne opposed. The change is estimated to save the district about $250,000 per year.
The board also voted 6-3 to
outsource five positions in the information technology department. It could save the district about $50,000. Shindle, Cordell and Thorne did not approve the move.The three personnel moves will get the district $600,000 closer to closing a $1.4 million budget deficit. Other options include raising taxes by as much as 3.8259 mills, which would net the district about $721,936 in additional revenue.
The state has approved the district's request for tax exceptions, which could raise the district's maximum real estate increase from 2 mills to more than 3.8 mills. The real estate tax rate for 2012-13 is 98.9 mills.
Wilson also said she would recommend using money out of budgetary reserve to cover the 2013-14 budget. Wilson told board members she would request $250,000 from the reserve to help cover the gap.
The board rejected a recommendation to outsource food service by a 9-0 vote. The food service department is comprised of 29 mostly part-time employees. The proposed savings was $15,000.
The district considered outsourcing bus routes last year, but the school board changed its mind when a report by then-business manager Richard Lipella suggested it was cheaper to keep the bus system in-house than to send it to a contractor.
The final budget is due June 30.
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Brian Hall can be reached at 262-4811 and bkhall@publicopinionnews.com, or follow him on Twitter @bkhallpo.
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