Moon Area School District taxpayers will have their first say on an initial $57.7 million budget with an .86-mill property tax increase on Monday.

School directors will discuss the 2008-09 district budget following their business meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.

A final budget will not be approved until June.

If the initial proposal reaches that final budget vote unchanged, a homeowner with a property valued at $150,000 will pay $129 more in taxes per year.

The proposed tax increase is the highest allowed without a voter referendum, according to last year's state taxpayer relief act or Act 1 regulations.

It would raise the district's tax rate to 20.47 mills.

The initial budget could start shrinking on Monday by as much as $1.2 million, said Al Bennett, district financial director.

Possible revisions would reduce the budget to $56.6 million, still an increase of $2.6 million over this year's $54 million financial plan.

A middle school dean of students most likely will not be hired, nor will another guidance counselor, said Bennett. District officials also may not replace five of six retiring teachers.

"That is a proposed revision, and they haven't pulled the trigger on that yet," Bennett said.

"You can't just furlough a teacher because you have money problems, but you don't have to replace a retiring teacher.

"We have that option to not replace them and adjust," the schedule.

Other new personnel, like a director of operations, could remain for next year. The $105,992 position was one of the first removed in the past, and many times it was titled as coordinator of custodians. A $17,500 director's vehicle also is budgeted.

Directors tried to add the position in October after toxic mold was found in the high school in August, but the chosen applicant did not join the district after being approved for a five-year $75,000 yearly contract.

"This is a more extensive position and a little more expensive," Bennett said.

Helping regulate cleaner air will be a $65,000 airborne particulate monitor.

And, using lessons learned from this school year, more money will be moved to the capital reserve fund.

"We set aside money for unanticipated repairs in the high school and middle school, which we could fund with capital reserve dollars. But salaries and benefits are the largest single ticket item of increase."