Tax Increase Approved By Neshaminy School Board

Residents in the Neshaminy School District will see their taxes jump a slight bit.

The Neshaminy School Board voted 5-4 Tuesday evening to approve a $183.6 million spending plan for 2020-2021. The approved budget raises the tax millage rate from 163.1 to 165.5, adding about $69 per year for the average household.

The budget anticipates $182.5 million in revenues and calls for using $1.1 million of Neshaminy’s $42 million fund balance to fill the gap between expenses and income.

School Board President Steve Pirritano and members John Allen, Adam Kovitz, David Marrington, and Marty Sullivan voted in favor of the budget. Board members Cyndie Bowman, Irene Boyle, Tina Hollenbach, and Paul Saraullo voted against the plan.

Business Administrator Donald Irwin Jr. said the budget keeps up district programs and holds off on some larger capital expenditures.

While the budget does call for pulling from fund balance, the district will look for ways to keep that from happening as the fiscal year progresses, Irwin said.

The business administrator said not raising taxes this year would cause an even larger anticipated budget gap next budget cycle.

The district is currently settled in contracts with teachers, support staff, and administrators, which provides budget stability, Irwin said.

Neshaminy recently refinanced some debt with the expectation of saving $10 million in payments over the 18 years.

The district did make cuts to some capital spending to reflect the current financial situation and the unknown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

School board members Kovitz, Allen, and Marrington raised some concern over cuts to maintenance programs that were reached through a budgeting agreement.

Pirritano called the budget a “comprise” that keeps up with commitments in the face of uncertainty.

Director of Secondary Education Rob McGee, who will become superintendent next week, said the budget gives the district the “ability to adjust” in a work where there is uncertainty due to the pandemic.

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