Carmel Board of Education working to finalize budget before April deadline

The Carmel Board of Education is meeting for a work session tonight in hopes of finalizing a budget that closes a multimillion-dollar deficit before next month's deadline.

According to documents posted online, the board is considering eight different budgetary scenarios. Each one ranges from the fewest number of cuts which would be offset by a higher tax levy to the maximum number of cuts which could mean a tax cut. The board is also weighing whether to use $1.1 million from the school district's emergency fund balance.

Earlier this month, a financial analyst told the Board of Education that it had been spending beyond its means for years. The district said underdelivered state aid, expiration of COVID relief funds, rising inflation, and small tax levy increases for much of the last decade all contributed to this current financial issue.

Parents and taxpayers have come out in full force at the last few board meetings voicing their anger and concerns about the way the district spends their money.

The board will weigh cuts including staff reductions, programs, and supplies.

Board members said they anticipate adopting a budget to go before the voters at their next meeting on Tuesday, April 16.