Norwin approves budget; holds line on taxes

Property owners in the Norwin School District will not pay more in taxes for the 2021-2022 fiscal year under a budget that maintains the same rate for the first time since 2011 without cutting programs, services or furloughing staff, the district said.

The $80.5 million budget the school board unanimously approved on June 7 maintains the real estate tax rate at 84.8 mills for property owners in North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin. The tax rate in the Allegheny County portion of the district — about 18 properties in White Oak and South Versailles — will stand at 12.72 mills. The millage rates reflect the differences in real estate assessment in the two counties.

In the Westmoreland County section of the district, Norwin receives the revenue generated from 83.6 mills, because 1.2 mills are allocated to the Norwin Public Library, as required by a voter referendum.

In the school year that ends June 30, Norwin had the fourth lowest tax rate among the county’s 17 school districts. Only Monessen, Southmoreland and Hempfield Area have a lower millage rate.

Norwin benefits from being able to levy taxes on $432 million worth of assessed property, the second highest only to Hempfield Area, which had $630.3 million in assessed properties for this school year.

The 2021-2022 budget funds an additional social worker and two additional special education teachers at the high school. One position will be used for learning support and the other position will be focused on autistic support, Superintendent Jeff Taylor said in a statement.

The budget provides additional instructional technology support for faculty, staff, students and families. Five new College in the High School courses have been added, enabling students to earn college credits.