The Pleasant Valley School District approved the 2014-2015 proposed final budget at the May 8 school board meeting.

As it stands now, taxpayers would see a 4.234-mill increase or a 2.9 percent increase in their tax bill at a millage rate of 150.250 mills.That's down 2.3 percent from the preliminary proposed budget in January which was at a 5.2 percent increase, due mostly to cuts in staffing.The 2.9 percent increase would mean the average tax bill will be $3,130 and the average increase will be $88, based on a home with an average assessed value of $20,830.In order to arrive at the proposed millage, $6.2 million in fund balance will be used to help mitigate the tax increase.The district assures that the proposed budget maintains current programming for the school district students.District Superintendent Carole Geary said the board and administration will continue to look at ways to trim costs until the final budget is approved, and even after that.At a recent Buildings and Grounds meeting, board President Russell Gould said he'd really like to see a zero increase.The district has not had to increase taxes since the 2011-2012 school year.It was discussed that one kindergarten bus run has been eliminated, with a savings of $16,600, and they are looking at more possible costs to eliminate in transportation.Also, the district has been offering retirement incentives to the staff and should have those results by the next board meeting.Last month the board voted to close Polk Elementary School, due to declining enrollment, and the operations facility. The district hopes to be able to sell that building and rent out space in the Polk school.The budget will be up for approval at the June 12 board meeting.