Pleasant Valley School District holds the line on taxes … for now

Pleasant Valley School District taxes will remain flat for another year.

The 2016-17 proposed budget was passed at a recent school board meeting, with a millage rate of 146.016. This means that the tax bill for a home with an average assessed value at $20,920 will remain at $3,055 for the sixth straight year, according to the district.

“It is important to keep in mind that the board and administration will continue to look at ways to trim costs up until the vote is taken on the final budget and will continue to do so after that,” said a statement from the district.

The district has contained costs in negotiating labor contracts, reconfiguring the school district, refinancing bonds, subcontracting transportation, condensing and eliminating bus runs, increases ACCESS reimbursements, creating the PV Cyber Academy, creating I.C.E. program, closing three elementary schools, eliminating 116 professional, administrative and support staff positions, joining purchasing consortium and entering into a performance contract over the last several years, the district says.

“Taking these steps and more have allowed the school districts to create a financial situation whereby funds are available to lessen the impact of such dire circumstances as the prolonged decrease in state funding that has occurred over the past several years,” the district said.

However, keeping the tax rate flat forever won’t work for the district, according to its budget presentation.

The district will take $6.6 million from its fund balance to mitigate the tax increase; however, the district may need to raise millage rates 1.25 percent for four years as part of the 2017-18 school year budget to make sure the fund balance doesn’t run out by 2019-20.

The raise may happen to avoid a 17.6 mill increase in the 2019-20 budget, which would add an additional $368 to tax bills at that point.

“Future sustained deficiencies in state funding will impact the board’s ability to continue a property tax freeze and fulfill its obligation to provide a quality education to its children,” the district says.

The final budget is planned to be passed on June 23.

Story from the Pocono Record