ROARING SPRING — Spring Cove School Board members agreed on a 2% tax increase, on condition that the board creates an upcoming facility consolidation plan with incoming funds, at Monday night’s committee of the whole meeting.

Business manager Steven Foor will provide a preliminary budget with a 2% increase for the board to vote on during the meeting scheduled for May 18.

The decision follows previous meetings in which Foor projected a budget shortfall of more than $2 million for the 2026-27 school year due to salary and health care increases.

Foor drafted three budgets for Monday night’s presentation — without an increase, with a 2% increase and with a 3% increase — to give board members options.

According to his presentation, a 2% increase will increase the millage rate by 0.23, resulting in the school gaining about $221,390 in revenue. Taxpayers will see a monthly increase of $2.79.

During discussion, board members were asked to voice their opinions on raising taxes for the upcoming school year, and many considered real-life circumstances and upcoming facility plans.

Board member Troy Wright said the board should raise taxes 3% to maintain regular operating costs while offsetting the district’s 11% health care increase and building and grounds projects.

“We have to pay for it somehow,” he said, noting that the board must account for rising costs and paying for an additional special education teacher at the high school level.

He said they can’t use the district’s reserve budget because those funds help pay for roofing and window projects without interest, and depleting that budget would result in the board asking for more money in the future.

“If you’re going to say zero (percent), explain to me how we’re going to pay for the increase in health care, increase in salaries and benefits and a van,” he said. “Or what would you like to cut?”

Superintendent Betsy Baker said that she attended a superintendents meeting last week, and districts outside of a consortium are seeing a 26% to 27% increase in health care. By comparison, she said an 11% increase is a good percentage.

Board member Kevin Smith said he was in favor of no tax increase, but he would like to see the board make a commitment on a future building consolidation plan if he votes for a tax increase. Erika Smith agreed with his proposal.

The district has a plan to consolidate the buildings, Baker said, but the board has to devise a financial plan. Considering that items are costing more, however, she said the plan is currently stalled.

Looking at the auditor’s report from the 2024-25 school year, Smith said Foor budgeted it so conservatively that the district benefited from a $4 million swing.

“I don’t put any state money in that on purpose, and that was a year they invested heavily,” Foor said. He mentioned that he holds the same concerns for the 2026-27 school year to account for an unknown state budget.

The state budget for 2025-26 wasn’t decided until November 2025.

Smith said Foor has done a great job as business manager, but he wants to know where the district’s actual numbers are.

Board member Alyssa McGregor said she could support a 3% tax increase if the board allocates a certain amount for the deficit and capital reserves.

Board member Samantha Snowberger said the district should raise taxes to 3% to cover health care, while Misti Fisher was unsure about the number, but said she is currently leaning toward breaking up the increase among different balances.

McGregor agreed that it would be difficult to decide how to allocate revenue from a tax increase.

“You’re stuck deciding between what people can afford (and) what do our students need,” she said.

Board Vice President Gretchen Bettwy agreed but said she is not comfortable raising taxes above 2%, adding that it’s difficult to balance the school’s needs in this economy. Andrea Moses also said 2% would be the maximum increase if she were to approve a hike at all.

All board members were present at Monday night’s meeting.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.