School board members approved a 2015-2016 proposed final budget at the May 4 operations committee meeting clearing the way for an affirmative vote at the May 13 school board meeting.

Board members Samuel DeFrank, Russell Giordano and Christopher Spedaliere were not in attendance.

The proposed final budget includes a 1.2 percent tax increase to residents; the impact to the average homeowner is $43.32.

Included in this budget is an elementary guidance counselor, full-day kindergarten staffing and supplies, money for field trips for students in kindergarten through grade 12 ($15 per student), increased instructional support at Harry S Truman, increased clerical support at HST, Western Salisbury Elementary and Salisbury Middle School, a courier, a full-time custodian at Salisbury High School, swimming intramurals at SMS, band uniforms (partial), increased clerical support in the business office and increased clerical support for the director of student activities.

Unfunded or underfunded mandates having a financial impact on the budget included transportation to 49 schools including private, parochial and charter schools at a cost of $496,049, charter school tuition for 54 students at a cost of $729,800, Public School Employee Retirement System expenses at a cost of $3,591,882 and special education expenses at a cost of $4,785,742.

Last year, residents saw a 3.4 percent increase in their taxes, $146.28 to the average homeowner.

"Considering we are bringing back programs and staff, I appreciate what the administration has done to pinch pennies and get us back on track," Frank Frankenfield said. He was pleased it would have a small impact on the taxpayers.

"I have such a good feeling to have such a low increase for our residents," Mary Ziegler said.

Unresolved factors which will influence the final budget include local, state and federal revenues, retirements, tax assessment appeals and charter school enrollments.

The final budget is expected to be adopted at the June 17 meeting.

Governor Tom Wolf's budget is not expected to be adopted until June 30.