Lexington District 1 is tightening its belt. To avoid a tax increase, the district has planned conservatively and cut spending across the board, reports spokesperson Mary Beth Hill. This includes cuts to programs and initiatives, adhering tightly to student-teacher ratios and cutting 3 positions, a communications office director, a chief financial officer and an accounting director. “Although the state allows districts to increase millage by the Act 388 formula by 15.21 mills, the district is not recommending a millage increase,” she said. Lawmakers approved $5,507,665.59 for a 4% salary increase for teachers and a slight increase in state aid to classrooms of $368,479.92. The mandated 4% salary increase for district teachers will cost $5,549,338. This is a difference of $41,672.41. The mandated certified teacher increase will costs $2,498,696, a difference of $2,130,216.08. — Jerry Bellune