The Bristol Township School District has proposed a budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year that would not raise taxes.
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The school board this month approved a preliminary proposed budget of $168.6 million, marking a 2.29 percent increase over last year’s budget.
To balance the proposed budget, the district plans to use $8.1 million from its existing fund balance, which currently stands at $21.9 million.
The school board has not approved a tax increase since the 2018-2019 school year.
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Despite the steady tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, the district acknowledged that future tax increases might be necessary as costs rise and the fund balance decreases, District Business Manager John Scavelli said.
The current fund balance has been bolstered in recent years by property sales and savings, the business manager said.
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Scavelli highlighted several areas where costs are increasing, including salaries, tuition, curriculum, transportation, and benefits. Staffing and benefits costs alone make up 60.02 percent of the budget.
Approximately 55 percent of the district’s funding comes from local taxes and earnings, while the state provides 37.1 percent, and the federal government contributes 1.5 percent.
The district forecasts a 2.2 percent increase in revenue for the upcoming budget year, according to Scavelli.
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The district plans to add staff for elementary schools and special education, continue the district’s cyber and summer programs, update technology, and maintain a preventive maintenance schedule.
In recent years, the district benefited from federal COVID-19 aid to fund various programs. With the end of that aid, the district plans to maintain many of these programs using local tax revenues, Scavelli said.
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The school board is scheduled to vote on the proposed budget at a meeting on June 26.
State law mandates that school districts must approve a budget by June 30.
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