School budget roundup
Pennsylvania school districts are required to pass a budget by June 30 each year. School districts are now finalizing their spending plans. Following is a roundup of some area school districts and the final budgets they have adopted for the 2023-24 school year.
Washington County
Bentworth School District
Bentworth School District has adopted a 2023-24 budget in the amount of $22,641,369. The spending plan increases the millage rate .79 mills, to 14.66 mills.
The tax increase means a homeowner with a house assessed at $100,000 will pay an additional $79 a year.
Significant items that impacted the budget are special education costs, cyber and charter school tuition costs, a 14% increase in health insurance premiums, and contractual pay increases.
California Area School District
California Area School District has adopted a 2023-24 spending plan that includes a slight real estate tax increase.
The $18,251,398 spending plan, which passed by a 5-1 vote with three members absent, calls for a .7690-mill increase that sets the millage rate at 14.2611 mills, up from 13.4921 last year.
A homeowner with a house assessed at $100,000 will see a $76.90 annual increase in property taxes.
Canon-McMillan School District
The Canon-McMillan School District adopted its 2023-24 general fund budget with a .2600-mill property tax increase.
The board approved a $107,645,751 spending plan. The millage rate set at 12.26 mills. A homeowner with a home assessed at $100,000 will pay an extra $26 per year.
Among the top expenses are special education, debt service, facilities operation, and transportation.
The school district retains a fund balance of $111,609.
Washington School District
The Washington School District adopted a 2023-24 general fund budget that will reduce property taxes.
Directors unanimously approved a $31,118,228 spending plan that reduces the millage rate .3054 mills, from 15.1578 to 14.8524 mills.
The homestead tax exemption for homeowners with eligible properties is $604, or an assessed real estate value reduction of $40,667.
Greene County
Jefferson-Morgan School District
Jefferson-Morgan School District directors unanimously adopted a 2023-24 general fund budget of $15,900,000, with no tax increase.
The millage rate remains at 29 mills.
The budget includes an increase in health care costs.