Shaler Area School District to raise real estate taxes 6.6% with its 2024-25 budget

Shaler Area School District property owners should prepare to pay 6.6% more in real estate taxes.

School board members were poised to adopt their near $98.76 million 2024-25 budget at the June 19 meeting.

That schedule was after presstime for this issue.

The proposed final budget was posted in the “Business Office” section of the school district’s website.

Figures indicate the millage rate will go up from 24.7084 mills to 26.3391 mills, a 1.6307-mill jump.

District officials said the tax hike equates to $163 more in taxes on a $100,000 home per year.

There are no cuts to programs or services.

Projected income includes about $52.8 million in current real estate taxes and $8.063 million in Act 511 taxes, including earned income, $32.42 million in state resources and $1.427 million in federal monies.

Projected spending includes about $63.6 million for instruction, $27.76 million for support services, $2.145 million for noninstructional services and $5.2 million for interfund transfers.

Deputy Superintendent Bryan O’Black spoke about the proposed spending plan via email the day before its expected adoption.

“Due to rising mandated costs, contractual obligations, security improvements, medical costs and debt service, with no adequate matching revenues, the district must consider a tax increase,” O’Black said.

“We are committed to closely monitoring both our short- and long-term spending plans to ensure fiscal responsibility. Additionally, with future construction and renovation needs districtwide, we are taking into account long-term spending and the future needs to create a sustainable system to support our students and the larger school community.”

O’Black noted the use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds to bolster the district’s technology offerings for students as well as student support services.

“These funds were provided as a temporary measure to address the impact of the pandemic, supporting initiatives such as additional counseling, mental health programs and special education services,” he said. “However, since the federal funding is not being continued, the responsibility for maintaining these vital services falls back on the district, necessitating an increase in local funding.”

The school board voted at a special meeting May 8 to approve its proposed budget and schedule its June final adoption.

O’Black said the district explored all options when crafting next school year’s spending plan, which eventually did not require pulling from its reserve funds to cover any shortfalls.

“Over the past several months, the district administration has partnered with our school board to explore various methods to reduce the budget deficit while sustaining the academic and support offerings for our students,” he said. “These methods have included cost-cutting measures, renegotiation of vendor contracts, early retirement incentive programs and seeking additional grant funding. Despite these efforts, the need for a tax increase remains to ensure the district can meet its financial obligations and continue providing high-quality education.”

Board president April Kwiatkowski also said it took a lot of teamwork between elected leaders and administrators to craft a balanced budget.

“We have worked closely with the administration to carefully examine expenses while maintaining our commitment to delivering outstanding educational programs and experiences in our schools,” Kwiatkowski said via email June 18. “School leaders and department directors have implemented necessary adjustments to reduce expenses across our budgets, prioritizing measures that minimize any impact on our students’ experiences.”

State law requires school districts to pass a balanced budget by the end of June.