It's likely that, for the second year in a row, Penn-Trafford residents won't see an increase at tax time.

On Monday night, district business manager Brett Lago introduced the $45.3 million preliminary 2008-09 budget. If approved as-is, the proposal would hold the real estate tax rate steady at 71.25 mills.

One mill generates about $268,000 for the district.

Lago said the district would be able to make up the difference without affecting taxes.

"We have a one-time large expenditure in textbooks," said Lago. "So we're going to balance the $250,000 difference with the fund balance that we didn't spend on textbooks for the current year."

Local taxes amount to about $23.9 million, or 53 percent of the revenues.

State funding will go from about $20 million to about $20.7 million, a $657,700 increase for next year. Lago said he and other members of the administration have been traveling to Harrisburg and petitioning legislators for more funding.

"Maybe (the trips) are starting to pay off," he said.

Though that money helped keep local taxes the same, Lago said, state funding still is not at the level he'd like it to be.

"Our local sources continue to be over 50 percent, our state under 46 percent," he said. "Even though the state has increased its subsidy to us this year, they're still not at the 50 percent level we'd like to see."

Instructional costs are expected to account for more than 56 percent of the 2008-09 expenses, followed by support services with 30.58 percent.

Overall, Lago said he is pleased with the numbers.

"We were able to present a budget that does not cut programs. As a matter of fact, it expands some of our programs," Lago said. "We're in a very solid spot, and we're very confident that we could go into next year with no increase."

"We're very happy. We really think we can maintain some of the good things we've done the last couple of years and give the taxpayers a break."

Budget meeting

State law requires the budget to be in place by June 30. The school board expects to pass the budget at its June 9 meeting. The board meets at 7 p.m. at the district administration building.

A copy of the preliminary budget is available for review at the administration building on Harrison City-Export Road.