Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The Bristol Township School Board plans to hold the line on taxes for the upcoming fiscal year.
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The board voted 8-0 last month to approve a preliminary spending plan of $160,995,622 for the 2023-2024 school year.
District Business Manager John Scavelli said the budget would keep the tax rate steady for the upcoming year.
The budget is the first in the district for Scavelli and the first for new Superintendent Michael Nitti.
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Scavelli said the proposed budget is built around no tax increase, but it also focuses on keeping up programming for students. It also allows for implementation of the superintendent’s vision for the district.
The new budget maintains programs started with federal COVID-19 relief funds, but Scavelli said that revenue stream has ended.
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“In the end, we’re here for kids,” Scavelli said. “At the end of the day, we have to ask ‘is it good for kids?” That’s what we have to ask.”
The budget will continue a focus on student achievement and social emotional wellness. It will also continue the existing cyber and summer programs.
Scavelli said the district’s new ELA and math programs will be funded in the budget.
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The budget will cover the cost of 1,000 new Chromebooks and other technology upgrades.
Additionally, the budget will pay for preventative maintenance and planned paving at the Neil A. Armstrong Middle School and Harry S. Truman High School sites.
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Scavelli said the budget will focus on setting routine replacement schedules.
“This saves you money over time,” he said.
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The district plans to spend about $8.7 million from fund balance to cover a budget gap, but Scavelli said the administration will work to decreasing the amount of fund balance that will be spent. He added that not all of that money may be spent.
Nitti said that while this is Scavelli’s first budget in the district, he comes to Bristol Township with years of experience.
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The superintendent said the budget is “respectful to the taxpaying community,” but also continues to provide “valued programs and opportunities to our students.”
The final budget will be voted on by the school board at the June 28 meeting.
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