BUTLER TWP — The Butler Area School District board gave preliminary approval to the budget for the 2022-2023 school year Monday, with expenditures more than $106 million with no increase to taxes or the current area millage rate of 104.03.

Also, the board planned a public hearing regarding the proposed closing of Butler Middle School and approved hiring a company for new food service operations.

The district will host a public hearing at 4 p.m. May 31 at Butler Intermediate High School regarding the proposed closing of Butler Middle School, which according to district leadership, is a meeting required by law. The board will not vote at the meeting; it is an informative session that allows community members to make comments on the plan.

Additionally, the board approved hiring Aramark to manage food service operations for the 2022-2023 school year. According to Bonzo, Aramark’s administrative fee is a flat rate of $30,000 for the year, and the company charges $.09 per meal, which the district will pay monthly.

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