On June 20, 2017, Mars Area School Board voted unanimously in favor of Mars Area School District’s 2017-2018 General Fund Budget of $47.8 million with no millage increase.

The approved budget is the 10th consecutive with no real estate tax increase. Taxes will remain at 99 mills.

“This is the 10th year without a millage increase for our residents. It represents conservative budgeting, tight management, and good decision making on behalf of our students, staff and the taxpayers,” said Dayle Ferguson, Board president. “We will have some new programs and some new opportunities this year and are very proud of this budget.”

The 2017-2018 General Fund Budget is 4.3 percent ($2,000,000) higher than the 2016-2017 budget of $45.8 million. District revenue from local, state and federal sources is anticipated to net a $1.7 million increase and will be used to offset expense increases.

Approximately $43 million (89.5 percent) of the budget is earmarked for fixed costs such as salaries, benefits, retirement, transportation, cyber and special education. The remaining $4.8 million in budget expenditures will be used to pay for other District operations.

The District’s educational program is primarily funded by the hometown tax base, which represents 71 percent of all District revenue sources. The increase in state support is $647,000, $310,000 of which is from the rise in the mandatory pension contribution for the 2017-2018 School Year. Single-digit percentage increases in the pension contribution rate are anticipated for future years unless a legislative solution at the state level is achieved.

The 2017-2018 General Fund Budget is available via the link below as well as at all District’s school buildings and administration offices. To view Mars Area School District's  2017-2018 General Fund Budget, click on the following link: