Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Taxes in the Pennsbury School District are expected go up for the 2019-2020 budget year.
Under the final budget draft approved recently by the school board, a tax increase of 2.3 percent has been proposed. The increase would cost the average property owner in the district $123 more per year. The 2.3 percent tax hike is the top limit imposed by Pennsylvania’s Act 1 without an special exceptions.
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The school board will vote on the $216.9 million spending proposal at their June 20 meeting.
The proposed spending plan includes an $8.4 million increase in salaries and benefits, a $543,168 increase in property-related costs, a decrease of $167,384 in professional services, and a $59,169 decrease in supply costs. New buses will add about $50,000 to the transportation budget and there will be an investment in information technology. An expected 25 retirements will decrease spending about $750,000 and two secondary staffing positions not being filled with save $150,000.
District officials said additional school counselors and facilities positions will cost about $500,000.
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Although the district is expecting to see an increase in tax revenues and state and federal subsidies, the tax increase is needed along with $1.5 million from fund balance to plug an estimated $3.4 million deficit.
When the final budget was presented in May, Superintendent Dr. William Gretzula said there were some options to save money that were being examined and would be worked on up until the budget vote.
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