Chartiers Valley passes budget with no tax increase

Property owners in the Chartiers Valley School District won’t pay more in taxes next year.

School directors voted 6-2 on Tuesday, May 27, to approve the district’s $79 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. It maintains a real estate tax rate of 20.1909 mills.

An owner of a home in the district with an assessed value of $100,000 would continue to pay $2,019 annually.

“This balanced budget marks a turning point for Chartiers Valley,” said board President Darren Mariano. “It is a responsible, student-focused plan that addresses our significant financial challenges while keeping our priorities clear: improving student achievement, maintaining safety and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability.”

Superintendent Daniel Castagna said that, last year, the district was projecting more than a $7 million budget deficit for this year. Those figures have been presented by Castagna and the district’s outgoing finance director, Beth Wright, over the span of board meetings since January.

“The administration worked diligently and transparently throughout this process — sharing early projections and delivering a final budget that aligned precisely with what was presented. What was shared with the community months ago is exactly what was passed last night — closing a projected $7.1 million deficit through strategic, data-driven decisions — without raising taxes,” Mariano said.

“At a time when many families in our community are already feeling the pressures of inflation and facing rising taxes from their municipalities or Allegheny County, this is both a significant and responsible achievement.”

Over the past couple of months, the school board approved program curtailments and staffing adjustments; and 30 teachers took an early retirement incentive.

“Some of the choices were undeniably difficult, but they were made with integrity, transparency and a deep commitment to doing what is right for the future of our district,” Mariano said. “This is not just about balancing a budget — it’s about changing direction and building a foundation for sustained success.

“There is still work to be done, and I anticipate more difficult choices ahead. However, we must live within our means while continuing to provide a high-quality education for our students and support for our community.”

Those moves reduced the deficit to roughly $533,000, Castagna said, and the budget will pull from the district’s fund balance to cover that.

Salaries and benefits are the largest categories of expenditures in the budget. Castagna noted that the district is dealing with rising healthcare costs; the decrease of the common level ratio in Allegheny County, losing tax valuation coming into the district; increased costs for supplies and materials; and its growing special education and English Language Learners population.

Voting in favor of the budget were Mariano, Louise Huehn, Kate Drury, Jeff Choura, Ed Brosky and Lisa Trainor; opposed were Mitch Montani and Megan Sexton. Herb Ohliger was absent.

“While not everyone will agree with every aspect of the budget, the reality is that our district could no longer afford to delay action,” Mariano said. “For years, we’ve seen rising costs and declining achievement. The board challenged the administration to think differently, and Dr. Castagna and his team responded with a bold, focused approach that repositions resources toward academic priorities and student support —where they are most needed.”

The board also approved the district’s homestead and farmstead property tax exclusion. Property owners who qualify will receive a reduction of $175.05 in school taxes.

“I am confident that, together, we are setting Chartiers Valley on a path toward greater stability, higher achievement, and a brighter future for all of our students,” Mariano said.