Carmel School District closes in on budget agreement following months of debates

Putnam County's largest school district is closing in on a budget agreement after months of debates.

The Carmel Board of Education agreed not to use any of its fund balance to close the gap at its meeting this week.

Some outstanding issues include how much to cut in administrative costs, whether realigning some schools could yield additional savings and how much aid the district will receive in the final state budget being negotiated right now.

Changes during the last meeting would leave a 1.44% tax increase, which some board members still feel is too high.

The board will meet next Wednesday with hopes of approving a final budget less than a month before taxpayers vote on that proposal.