Facing uncertain revenues and a $2.8 million anticipated deficit for 2013, the Scranton School Board heard from only three residents at a budget hearing Tuesday night.
District officials are still working to close the gap and waiting for confirmation from Berkheimer Tax Administrator regarding funding due from Centax Group. Depending on how much the district is due, the anticipated gap may be much smaller.
The board will hold a budget and finance committee meeting next week to discuss the $121 million budget and attempt to balance it before it must be passed by the end of the month.
Under the state's Taxpayer Relief Act, the board voted this year to keep any possible tax increase within the district's index rate of 2.5 percent.
At Tuesday's hearing, city resident Marie Schumacher asked whether the district was putting money away for skyrocketing pension costs in coming years.
Gregg Sunday, deputy superintendent of finance, said that the district has no extra money to put away, especially with money needed to just balance next year's budget.
"It's not a Scranton School District problem. It's statewide," he said.
Resident Thom Welby also spoke to the board, asking directors to help find private funding for subsidized County of Lackawanna Transit System bus passes for students.
Some students have walks of four miles or more to Scranton High School, and the district does not provide transportation to high school students.
Superintendent William King said he is still in discussion with the University of Scranton for assistance, and several agencies or nonprofits may also be making donations soon, he said.
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