Upper St. Clair School Board approves proposed budget with tax increase
The Upper St. Clair School Board approved its 2018-19 proposed final budget, which includes a 2.8 percent tax increase, during the board’s May 21 meeting.
Superintendent Patrick O’Toole said the $83.626 million proposed final budget includes personnel increases for school security and school support services, as well as additional elementary classroom teachers to maintain effective class sizes. The district will also continue to invest in curriculum updates and instructional technology.
The recommended millage increase of 0.7043 mills would result in a final tax rate of 25.8603 mills. The annual tax impact on a $223,950 home, the median home value in Upper St. Clair, would be $157.73 a year.
Approximately half of the proposed millage increase, 0.319 mills, is allocated to offset the debt service payment for the district’s capital construction projects. Construction began this spring on the projects, which include a new 8-lane pool at the high school and a multi-use complex adjacent to the high school stadium, and the completion of Boyce athletic field facilities. The projects are expected to be completed in August 2019.
Other capital improvement projects in the 2018-19 budget 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.
The proposed spending plan represents an increase of $3.9 million or 4.9 percent over the current year. More than $400,000 is attributed to mandated increases to the Public School Employees Retirement System. Other increases were in salaries, health care premiums, special education and transportation. The district recently approved a lease for seven new school buses that will have an annual budget impact of approximately $90,000 over a seven-year term.
Currently, there is a $21,583 deficit between budgeted revenues and expenditures. District administrators plan to make additional adjustments before the approval of the final budget in June. The school board will vote on the final budget and taxes at their June 20 meeting.
The 2018-19 proposed final budget is available on the district’s website and at the district’s central offices.