Proposed Lacey school budget cuts 25 positions and raises taxes

25 employees, mostly teachers, will lose their jobs under the Lacey Board of Education's proposed budget.

18 full-time teaching positions would be eliminated under the proposed 2016-2017 spending plan, including 8 at Lacey High School, two at Lacey Middle School, two at the Cedar Creek Elementary, three at the Lanoka Harbor Elementary, and 3 at the Forked River Elementary School, according to the Lacey Patch.

Two administators, one dean of discipline, three health aides, two custodians and one school safety officer also would be cut.

Even with the reduction in staff, the school levy would increase by more than four percent. to $48.1 million. Residents owning an average $275,000 home would pay about $129 more a year.

District officials blame increases in the costs for healthcare and services, little increase in state aid and the two percent cap on tax levy increases mandated by the state.

A budget vote is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, May 2, at Lacey High School.