South Fayette to hold public meeting to discuss school taxes
The South Fayette School Board has scheduled a public meeting later this month to discuss with taxpayers the school funding process as it puts together its budget that includes another property tax increase.
The meeting, set for 7 p.m. March 14 in the middle school auditorium, will serve as an introduction to the school district’s finances and address the government budget, pensions, mandated school expenses and how funding in education has changed.
Property owners, especially seniors, last year confronted the school board regarding high taxes and have raised concerns again.
The school board is continuing to review the school district’s 2017-18 preliminary budget that once again includes another tax increase for property owners.
The board voted at its Feb. 13 meeting to approve the preliminary budget, which would increase revenue by a 3.2 percent index. Board members Lena Hannah and Teresa Burroughs voted against adopting the preliminary budget.
The preliminary budget includes revenue of $54.530 million and expenditures totaling $56.554 million, which would create a budget shortfall of $2,024,715.
“It’s important to note that that budget number will continue to come down,” Superintendent Bille Rondinelli said during the board’s Feb. 21 meeting.
As the board continues to hear department budget presentations, a proposed final budget will be assembled and voted on in May. The final budget is due by the end of June.