USC School Board OKs proposed budget with slight tax increase
The Upper St. Clair School Board approved a proposed final budget for the 2025-26 school year that includes a slight tax increase.
School directors unanimously approved a $108,388,976 spending plan on May 5 that sets millage at 31.5150, an increase of .9180 mills or 3%.
The annual tax impact of the proposed increase on a $237,300 home, the average assessed home in Upper St. Clair, is $217.84 a year, or $18.15 per month. To calculate the impact of a specific property value, multiply the property’s county assessed value by 0.0009180.
Factors impacting the budget include Allegheny County’s common level ratio and compounding increases in medical insurance and retirement contributions. The common level ratio is the metric used by Allegheny County to determine the fair market value of real estate properties. The rate has steadily declined from 100% in 2013 to 52.7% in 2025.
“A continued reduction in revenue via the common level ratio for Allegheny County has and will continue to decrease revenue for the district,” said Scott Burchill, director of business and finance. “The proposed 2025-26 budget includes a $750,000 revenue loss attributed to the common level ratio. The total assessed value for Upper St. Clair is projected to decline annually until Allegheny County conducts a full reassessment.”
The budget includes a $500,000 increase in the cost of medical coverage. Over the last three fiscal years, the cost has increased 28.7% or more than $2 million. Retirement contributions increased by $400,000 over the previous year.
“The large majority of the recommended 3% tax increase is driven by three external factors, the significant loss in revenue due to Allegheny County’s common level ratio, rising health-care costs and mandated state retirement contributions for school districts,” said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent. “Absent these factors, our recommendation would be well below a 1% increase.”
In November, the board approved a resolution limiting any possible tax increase to within the inflationary index determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Passage of the resolution assured taxpayers that any proposed increase to the real estate tax rate would not exceed 4% or 1.2238 mills.
More than 78% of the district’s revenue is derived from local taxes. The state provides 21% and the federal government provides $692,019 – less than 1% of overall revenue.
Salaries and benefits total nearly 72% of the budget. This year, there are 10 professional staff retirements/resignations, as well as the retirement of an administrator, benefits coordinator and full-time curriculum leader, as well as the elimination of one classified staff position through attrition.
The proposed budget also includes a one-time use of $725,000 from the district’s fund balance to offset expenditures related to expiring bus and 1:1 technology leases.
More work is planned on the budget before final approval is expected when the board meets at 7 p.m. June 11 in the district’s administration building, 1775 McLaughlin Run Road.