Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
As district officials have warned in recent years, the Pennsbury School District is likely to have a tax increase for the 2024-2025 budget year.
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The proposed Pennsbury budget is $253.7 million and includes a 5.3 percent tax increase.
If the proposed budget is approved at its proposed tax rate, the average Pennsbury residential property owner will see a $240 tax increase.
The district expects spending increases in salaries, benefits, facilities, transportation, retirement costs, and special education. The majority of the budget is salaries and benefits, totaling 75 percent of spending, according to Pennsbury CFO Chris Berdnik.
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In 2024-2025, the district plans to spend $18 million for ongoing upgrades on Charles Boehm Middle School, $5 million for the new high school design, $4.4 million for stadium finishing work, $3.5 million for roofing, and $440,000 for security cameras.
Berdnik said Pennsbury has seen strong returns from checking account and investment earnings.
Berdnik is expecting a 2 percent increase in state funding. However, the legislature needs to approve a spending plan.
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The proposed budget is made up of 75 percent local revenue, 24 percent state money, and 1 percent federal funds.
The district has saved several hundred thousand dollars over the past five years due to decreasing workers’ compensation claims, Berdnik said.
District officials have expected several years of tax increases as Pennsbury looks to build a new high school in Falls Township. The project is expected to cost several hundred million dollars, including interest on borrowed funds, Berdnik said.
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Lower Makefield Township resident Robert Abrams spoke at public comment and slammed Berdnik for the proposed tax increase and planned spending on a new high school.
Board Vice President Josh Waldorf told Abrams the board instructed Berdnik on the direction of the Pennsbury budget.
Board Member Chip Taylor asked Abrams to direct his criticism at the board next time. He commended Berdnik for his hard work.
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The school board will vote on the proposed budget at the June 20 meeting. A budget needs to be in place by June 30.
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