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USC proposes tax increase in 2018-19 school budget

By Terry Kish For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.Net 2 min read

Upper St. Clair school administrators presented the district’s proposed 2018-19 general fund budget that tentatively calls for a 0.7043-mill increase.

The district’s revenues are budgeted to increase $3.6 million, or 4.5 percent, while expenditures are budgeted to increase 4.53 percent or $3.61 million, administrators said at the school board’s April 10 committee meeting.

The budget calls for raising the total millage to 25.8603 mills, with 0.3190 mills of that increase for debt service for the district’s capital project, with the remainder of the increase due to increased operating expenses. For homeowners, the 0.7043 mill increase equals an additional $70.43 annually for $100,000 assessed value.

Key expenditures for 2018-19 include a $1,325,224 increase in salaries, a PSERS rate increase from 32.57 to 33.43 percent, resulting in a net expenditure of $404,000, and a $113,000 increase in healthcare premiums. Staffing levels have increased by two elementary teaching positions and additional service staff. The district also is continuing its bus replacement plan, purchasing seven new buses each year until the fleet is turned over.

There will be a proposed final budget update on May 7, with adoption of that proposed budget set for May 21. A final budget update is scheduled for June 4, and the board is expected to adopt the 2018-19 final budget June 20. The budget presentation is available on the district’s website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us.

In other business, the board approved a revision to the current school year calendar, “forgiving” the latest snow day. The last day of school for students will remain June 12, 2018.

The district had three weather-related cancellations this school year, and last month, the board also forgave one snow day. Students will only make up one snow day, which is scheduled for May 25.

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