Grove City Area School Board members last week tentatively approved a 2002-03 budget that raises property taxes about 2 percent to 43.3 mills.

The millage reflects the new tax-assessment ratio adopted by county commissioners last year. Property formerly was assessed at one-third of its 1970 market value; it is now assessed at 100 percent.

The current levy is 127 mills, which translates to 42.3 new mills.

"Basically, 1 new mill equals the 3 old ones," said Superintendent Dr. Robert M. Post.

At 43.3 mills, a property with an assessment of $30,000 would carry a tax bill of about $1,300.

The tentative budget calls for spending $21,797,148 next school year, up from this year's $21,157,364.

Under the old assessment, 1 mill brought the district about $50,000. Under the new ratio, 1 mill yields $150,000.

The increase in spending is partly due to the tentative state budget of $20.9 billion. Overall, the budget is up 3 percent, including basic instructional support and special education, Post said.

Unless the state budget figures change, subsidies will generated only about 1.5 percent of taxes for each district, or $74,000, he said. "We have to keep up with the state not keeping up with inflation."

There will be no changes in school programs, Post said. However, the district -- minus George Junior Republic -- will lose 1 1/2 teachers. The board has also cut computer equipment, plans to buy a new van and some carpeting to keep costs down, he said.

"If the state comes up with more money, we may put it in the equipment budget," Post said. Although the district is buying $100,000 worth of computer equipment this year, tentative cuts for next year's budget mean there's no money to pay for upgrades, he added.

As far as other expenditures, building insurance costs are up about $50,000, Post said. Salary and benefits are up by $341,300 from last year. And, $100,000 is being set aside to pay for students going to charter schools, he said.

In 2001-02, 49 students went online to use cyber charter schools, Post said. Fourteen attended Keystone Education Center in West Salem Township.

Home districts pay tuition for their students to attend charter schools, although there are lawsuits by districts in the state about the validity of cyber schools since they are difficult to monitor.

The rise in charter school attendance from Grove City, particularly cyber schools, "is something we didn't anticipate," Post said.

Final budget talks are set for June 17 with approval set for June 24.