Jun. 29—The Exeter School Board approved an $81.8 million 2022-23 budget that includes a tax increase of 1.5%.

At a meeting Tuesday, the board voted to raise the millage rate from 34.19 to 34.70, increasing the annual real estate bill by about $50 for a home valued at $100,000.

The budget also includes an additional $54.81 of Homestead/Farmstead Exemption tax relief for qualifying properties, for a total exemption of $253.69.

In a press release Tuesday, Business Administrator Brian Feick said the district was able to avoid a higher tax increase by moving $800,000 of the district's reserves into the general fund budget.

Feick said he wanted to avoid dipping into the reserves this year but decided the move was necessary to keep taxes down, because high inflation is already posing a burden for residents.

District officials noted that over half of the district's expenses are salaries and benefits for its 600 employees, and the board on Tuesday approved salary increases for current workers, and increases in starting salaries for teachers and food service workers.

All teachers will receive a salary increase of $1,660, in addition to their annual raise, and the starting rate for Exeter teachers will now be $50,156, following the board's approval of a new four-year contract with the teachers union.

District administrators will also receive an annual raise of 3.25%, and the starting hourly rate for cafeteria workers will increase from $12 to $15.

The district also approved a new superintendent, Dr. Christine Haller, at a first-year salary of $167,500.

Haller replaces Cynthia Mierzejewski, who was appointed substitute superintendent after Kimberly Minor resigned for unspecified reasons in early February.

Haller has 15 years of experience working with the district in various administrative roles, including principal at Owatin Creek and Lorane Elementary schools, and recently served as director of human resources, district officials said.

Haller's contract will begin Friday.

In addition, the district also approved:

—Diane Scornavacchi as director of human resources.

—Matt Hathaway as Jacksonwald Elementary principal. Hathaway will replace Dr. Renee Mosser starting Aug. 15.