That was the estimate in January, but Sponseller said Wednesday the district's position may have deteriorated somewhat since then because of health-care costs. Property taxes were increased 1.54 mills last year to 56.79 to provide the local funding for the district's budget of more than $65 million.
A mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value on a property.
Many of the requests were for additional personnel.
"We've seen an increase in (English as a Second Language) students across the district," said Eric Michael, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
He requested a chairperson for the English as a Second Language Department and a teacher at King Street Elementary for a combined $107,030 in salary and benefits.
Ted Rabold, assistant superintendent for pupil services, asked for one elementary and one secondary English as a Second Language teacher for $115,956 in salary and benefits. Rabold said the district had 130 foreign language students in 2000-01, a number that has increased to 353 this year.
Other requests included two dean of students positions at Faust Junior High at $37,761 each, an elementary support team teacher, an emotional support counselor, two guidance counselors and a reading specialist at $57,978 each.
Richard Bender, the superintendent of building and grounds, said he needed another maintenance man at $55,233 in salary and benefits.
A total of $84,000 was requested for the budgets of the district's 21 schools for supplies.
"All the buildings are raising money for things we no longer buy," said James Taylor, assistant superintendent for elementary services.
While the cost of everything has gone up, he said the allotment for the buildings has remained stagnant for 15 years.
A first draft of the budget will be unveiled at the April 14 board meeting. A tentative budget will be voted on May 12 and a public hearing on the budget will be held June 2, Vensel said.
A final vote on the budget is scheduled June 16, he said.
