Burrell schools budget would raise taxes 3.8%

The Burrell School Board next week will consider moving forward with a proposed budget that would raise taxes 3.8%.

The proposed budget totals close to $37.7 million, which is a 3% increase from this school year’s budget, Business Manager Jennifer Callahan said.

The real estate tax increase included in the proposal is 4.5 mills, from 117.5 to 122 mills, Callahan said.

The budget has about a $160,000 deficit that will be covered through the district’s fund balance.

No growth and decreased property assessments continue to have a huge financial impact on the district, Callahan said. Burrell’s overall assessed values this year have decreased $524,000 from the prior year, she said, which has impacted school district revenue the upcoming budget year by about $60,000.

She presented data from other Westmoreland County school districts where their assessed values increased due to growth and development, offsetting their expenditures and therefore requiring a smaller tax increase or none at all.

“Our assessed value keeps decreasing, which decreases our revenues, and so we have to raise taxes to offset that, and it’s really hurting our homeowners,” Callahan said.

Callahan estimates the district will save $145,000 by closing Stewart Elementary School but a full value of savings won’t be realized until the property is sold.

Major increases in the budget include personnel costs, cyber and charter school payments, special education services and other educational placements, Callahan said.

The proposal allocates $702,000 for cyber or charter school tuition, which is a $112,100, or 19%, increase from this school year. Callahan estimates 38 students attending a cyber or charter school next year. There were 35 students budgeted this year.

Burrell also offers an eAcademy and the Alle-Kiski Academy of Excellence online learning option. The district has budgeted about $183,700 for the proposal.

“The district is required by law to pay approximately $10,500 more per-year, per-regular education student and $22,500 per-year, per-special education student when they choose an outside cyber school over the district’s online option,” Callahan said.

The budget also includes funding for an armed security guard at Charles A. Huston Middle School and security coverage for all after-school events.

“Adding the guard at HMS is another layer of safety for our students and staff,” Superintendent Shannon Wagner said. “He or she will be monitoring school grounds and be one of the first layers of security much like the armed guard at Bon Air. The (school resource officer) will still travel among the three buildings during the school day.”

School directors in the upcoming months will also consider a multimillion-dollar school realignment plan in part due to Stewart closing next school year. Its students will be relocated to Bon Air Elementary and Charles A. Huston Middle School.

There are heating and cooling upgrades at Burrell High School also being considered. The only project that the board has committed to so far is a boiler replacement at the high school.

The school board will consider passing the proposed budget Tuesday and post it on the district website for review.

On June 17, board members will make any adjustments to the proposal and cast a final vote June 24.