Carmel Board of Education expected to approve budget that cuts more than $5 million

With less than a month to go before taxpayers head to the polls to vote on school spending plans for next year, the Carmel Board of Education is expected to finally approve a budget at its meeting Wednesday night.

Down to just three options, each would cut at least $5 million in spending next year. None of the remaining choices would use any of the fund balance to dig the district out of its multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

According to board documents posted online, "Option A" would cut spending by $5.4 million and increase the tax levy by 1.34%. Potential cuts would include nurses, overtime as well as several teachers. "Option B" would cut spending by $5.3 million and carry a 1.43% tax increase. The only difference between "Option A" and "Option B" is the latter adds back in a media relations specialist position.

"Option C" carries the biggest financial impacts. It would cut spending by $6.7 million and carry a .01% tax cut. It's "Option A" but has additional cuts to field trips, a change in security vendors, clubs, athletics and facility personnel.

The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the George Fisher Middle School auditorium.