Six of seven Neshannock school administrators are donating part of their raises toward a budget without a tax hike.

The board voted 8-1 last night to adopt an unbalanced 2009-10 spending plan that calls for no tax increase, but shows a deficit of $748,931.

The board also granted raises to administrators, who decided to give back a portion to help the district.

The budget shows $16,422,932 in projected expenses and $15,674,001 in anticipated revenues. Property taxes will remain at 13.697 mills.

The budget and finance committee had managed to whittle $119,631 off the proposed expenditures since the budget was introduced last month with an accompanying tax increase, but the reductions were insufficient to balance it.

Tracy Stevenson voted against the spending plan without comment.

GIVING BACK

Although raises were approved for administrators, business office personnel and confidential secretaries, five administrators have agreed to donate $500 each back to the district.

The five received increases of 4 percent. The increases and their new salaries are:

•Kathleen Roppa, assistant superintendent, $4,370, $113,632

•Matthew Heasley, elementary principal, $3,367, $87,531

•Luca Passarelli, high school principal, $3,172, $82,482

•Dr. Tracy McCalla, junior high principal, $2,966, $77,126

•Connie Fiorante, director of pupil services, $2,966, $77,126