USC school board approves budget with tax increase
Upper St. Clair residents will be seeing an increase in their school taxes after the school board voted to increase taxes 0.8172 mills during its June 20 meeting.
The increase raises the millage rate to 25.156 mills, equating to an additional $188 a year in taxes on a house assessed at $230,000, the median home value in Upper St. Clair.
The board also approved the 2017-18 final budget totaling $79.704 million, which represents an increase of nearly $3.5 million, or 4.59 percent over the current year.
More than $1 million of the increase is attributed to mandated increases to the Public School Employees Retirement System, or PSRS, which has increased from $2 million in 2007-08 to more than $11.38 million this coming school year. Other increases include salaries, special education and transportation.
The budget provides for additional teaching positions at the high school due to a larger than average incoming class of ninth graders, which is expected to exceed 400 students. In comparison, this year’s graduating class at Upper St. Clair was 361.
Also included in the spending plan is the addition of an assistant principal at Boyce Middle School, which serves 627 students in grades 5 and 6.
Upper St. Clair High School Assistant Principal Christine Mussomeli, will transfer to the new Boyce position. Her replacement at the high school will be named later this summer.
The board also approved a contract of $421,069 for PJ Dick, Inc. to serve as construction manager for the district’s approved capital projects.
Board members noted PJ Dick’s previous experience with the renovation projects at Boyce and Fort Couch middle schools and the high school, as well as its successful involvement with several swimming facilities as rationale for their support.
As construction manager, officials from PJ Dick will work cooperatively with the district’s architects at McLean Architects LLC to develop and review construction documents and bidding specifications, review responsive bids, and provide day-to-day, on-site supervision of the projects.
This March, the board authorized McLean Architects to continue the design development, construction documents, and construction phase administration for capital projects that include the construction of a new eight-lane pool at the high school, the construction of a multi-use complex at the high school stadium, removal of a pedestrian bridge at the high school and repaving of the high school’s parking lot at the conclusion of the project, and the completion of Boyce athletic field facilities.
The total estimated cost of the projects is $16 million. Taxpayers could see a tentative 0.15-mill tax increase in 2018-19 and a tentative 0.16-mill tax increase in 2019-20 to fund those projects.
Additional revenue from new commercial and residential developments could mitigate some of the anticipated increase. In addition, the school district is seeking private contributions through a legacy campaign. Director of Advancement Sheila Gorgonio has worked with several Upper St. Clair families who have privately funded various initiatives. “Throughout the process, we will be closely monitoring project costs and increased property tax revenue from new construction,” Superintendent Patrick O’Toole said. “Those factors combined with private contributions may present opportunities to lessen the financial impact on our taxpayers.”
In other business, the board approved a change to the district’s 2017-18 school calendar, moving graduation up by one week. Based on feedback received after the school calendar was approved in March, graduation has been moved to June 7 rather than the originally scheduled June 14.
Other than graduation, the remainder of the calendar is unchanged. The first day of school is set for Aug. 29, and pending snow make-up days, the last day of school for students in grades K-11 is June 12.
The board also voted to increase school lunch prices by 10 cents. Lunch in the elementary schools and Boyce Middle School will now be $2.25 ($2.60 premium), and $2.50 ($2.90 premium) at Fort Couch and the high school. Super premium lunches at Boyce, Fort Couch, and the high school will be $3.50.
Free and reduced priced meals are available for qualifying families. Families can apply online at paschoolmeals.com.