Riverview School Board passes 2021-22 budget, no tax hike or program cuts

Riverview students will not have to miss out on opportunities, and Verona and Oakmont property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes as part the school district’s $24.2 million budget for 2021-22.

The board unanimously approved next school year’s spending plan in June. It maintains the tax rate at 23.2719 mills while retaining its educational offerings.

Projected revenues and expenses were listed at about $24.2 million.

Income includes $15.7 million in combined current and delinquent real estate taxes, $6.4 million from state sources, and $310,000 from federal sources.

Expenses include $13.9 million for instructional programs, $7.7 million for support services and $1.64 million for debt service.

Budget documents also indicate the district has about $5.3 million in reserve funds.

The spending plan is available for review on the district’s website, rsd.k12.pa.us, under its “Business Office” section.

President Lisa Ashbaugh said the board and administration made it a priority to keep the status quo.

“We felt this was important, especially since covid-19 has struck many families with job losses, etc.,” she said via email. “To be honest, next year it will probably be very tough not to increase taxes to keep the things we value in the district, but we’ll continue to work through that process when the time comes.”

Riverview, like many school districts in the state, is dealing with rising pension and charter school costs.

Superintendent Neil English said his team, specifically Business Manager Tammy Good, was able to address those issues as well as find money for some capital projects.

“Although the board realizes the short- and long-term implications of the Commonwealth’s inability to adequately fund public education, which includes many unfunded mandates, they were sympathetic to the financial impacts that the pandemic had on the community, and levied taxes accordingly,” English said. “The administrative staff, with expert guidance from our business manager, were able to creatively work to maintain all current programs and staff, while maintaining a reasonable balance of fiscal responsibility and program innovation. This will allow the district to continue to provide a safe, personalized, and diverse educational experience to all (900) Riverview students.”

The district was able to buy computers for all its students through federal funding.

English said they plan to use other federal money, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) money to “address learning gaps, create safe spaces, address mental health needs and after-school and summer programming.”

How much ESSER funds would be coming to the district was unavailable.

English said administrators would have a better idea of all the funds later this summer.

In the meantime, facility upgrades are in the works.

“We are currently updating infrastructure and building maintenance through a bond to ensure our spaces are safe and up to date,” English said. “We are making maintenance improvements to our aging HVAC systems, concrete and paving, electricity and playgrounds, among many other needed updates.

“We also received a grant to purchase a grow pod to begin a farm-to-table project. There is work being completed at all three buildings over the summer, and we are excited about the additional upgrades.”

More information about district activities is available through its website, rsd.k12.pa.us.