Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The Bristol Township School Board is considering a tax hike again this year to fill a roughly $4 million dollar budget gap.
As of Monday, the proposed 2017-2018 school year budget shows $138,889,735 in expenses and $134,400,991 in revenues. While officials said the district is working to continue to reduce costs, Board President Angela Nober confirmed a tax increase is on the table.
Advertisements
The district could raise taxes by as much as 3.3 percent, which is the Act 1 index. The full increase would bring in an additional $2.2 million for Bristol Township schools and raise taxes for the average property owner by about $120 next year.
In addition to a tax increase, some funds would likely also have to be drawn from its $11.3 million reserve accounts, which have grown over the past few years.
District Business Manager Josh Sweigard, who only started in his post earlier this year, said he has worked with administrators to cut down costs. Budget reductions have come through an estimated drop in charter school costs, health care cost sharing, reduction in capital expenditures and salary savings through attrition.
Advertisements
The district’s three new elementary schools have saved the school district several hundred thousand dollars through efficiencies and the consolidation, Sweigard said.
A graph put together by Sweigard shows pension costs, special education, charter schools and debt service costs all rising in 2017. Many of Bristol Township’s cost increases are also being felt by other area school districts.
Advertisements
Officials from the transportation department worked with Sweigard to reduce costs and keep regular bus service for students. The efforts in the district and with busing contractor Student Transportation of America (STA) did lead a cost reduction.
The business manager stated local revenues based on property assessments are expected to rise by $300,000 next year. He added that additional revenues are expected to come from the state.
Salaries and benefits make up 64 percent of the Bristol Township School District’s budget. Over the past 10 years, the district had made cuts to staff to reduce costs. This budget cycle does not include any major layoffs in the district.
Advertisements
Sweigard said administrators are continuing to work to reduce costs to the budget.
Nober said money brought in through the sale of five closed school properties are not included in the budget because no deals have been signed, but those revenues would help offset costs.
Advertisements
The school board is set to vote on the budget on Wednesday, June 28.
