Carmen Henriquez is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Germantown Board of Education has finalized its proposed 2019-20 budget, totaling just under $15.6 million. The spending includes a 4.42 percent tax levy increase. The board has opted to take $800,600 from its fund balance to balance the budget. The district will continue its pre-k program despite the end of a $170,000 state grant used to fund the program. The spending plan also provides for a 38 percent increase for services for special needs students, higher costs for transportation for spring sports and a significant increase in employee and retiree health benefits costs. Due to increased costs, the board will limit some outside programs including Tech Valley High, Bard early college and the Questar III Heavy Equipment class. As a result, the students accepted into these programs will be immediately affected. The board will hold public hearing on the proposed budget 6 p.m., Wed., May 8, in the elementary music room. The statewide budget vote and school board elections will be held Tue., May 21. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.