USC school board approves final budget with tax increase
The Upper St. Clair School Board approved the district’s 2018-19 final budget, which included a 2.8 percent millage increase of .7043 mills that will raise the millage rate of 25.8603 mills.
The tax impact on a home assessed at $223,950, the median home value in Upper St. Clair, is an additional $157.73 per year.
The $83,620,353 spending plan, passed June 20, represents an increase of $3.9 million or 4.9 percent over the current year. Salary increases total approximately $1.5 million and benefits approximately $1.3 million, with more than $400,000 attributed to mandated increases to the Public School Employees Retirement System. Other increases include the areas of special education and transportation.
Superintendent Patrick O’Toole said school safety is a top priority in the budget, which includes increased staffing and training to enhance student support and school safety efforts. The budget also includes provisions for additional teachers and curricular enhancements.
The budget also includes money to expand the 1:1 learning initiative to include 2-in-1 Chromebooks for all high school students, achieving the district’s goal to provide all students in grades 5-12 a developmentally appropriate learning device.
Nearly half of the millage increase – 0.319 mills – is allocated to offset the debt service payment for the capital construction projects currently underway, which includes the construction of a new eight-lane pool, the addition of a multi-use complex adjacent to the high school stadium, and the completion of Boyce athletic field facilities. Construction began this spring and will be completed in August 2019.
Other capital improvement projects include tile floor replacement in the gymnasiums at Baker and Streams elementary schools, security camera installation at Fort Couch Middle School, replacement of two gas kilns with electric kilns at the high school, and various maintenance items throughout the district.
The 2018-19 final budget is available on the district’s website and at the district’s central offices.
Michael Bova of Boenning & Scattergood provided the board with an update on the district’s recent bond financing for its capital projects. On June 12, the district issued $18 million of bonds with above market rates from three to five percent, raising an additional $1.62 million in proceeds, which resulted in $19.65 million total capital raised. The bond yield of the issue is 3.36 percent, with a bond call provision of six years.
During the same meeting, the board honored its outgoing superintendent by unanimously approving the Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Leadership Library, which will be located on the second-floor of the district’s new multi-use complex, currently under construction. The library will feature a collection of leadership development books and resources.
Discussing O’Toole’s contributions to the district, school board President Amy Billerbeck was one of his most impactful initiatives during his tenure. Soon after his arrival in 2007, he implemented the “Total Leaders” program, bringing in nationally known education innovator Charles Schwahn to work with the district’s administration. The program expanded to include teaching and support staff and sparked innovative leadership programming for students.
O’Toole’s last day as superintendent of schools is June 30. He will be succeeded by John Rozzo, who has served at the district’s assistant superintendent since 2014.
Donations are being accepted toward the establishment of the Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Leadership Library. Checks can be made payable to Upper St. Clair School District and mailed to Upper St. Clair School District, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 to the attention of Mary Ann Stabile.
In other business, the board approved the administrative election of Ray Carson, Jr. as the district’s director of human resources. Also introduced was Brett Bernardo, Aramark director of facilities for the district.