PR School Board Approves Preliminary Budget—But There's a Surprise Attached

The Pine-Richland School Board approved a preliminary $69.4 million budget with a 4.2 percent real estate tax increase Monday night, but there was a surprise attached.

Finance and School Services Director Dana Siford told the board it is likely the state will limit a tax increase to 3 to 3.5 percent.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education gets involved whenever the school board proposes a tax increase that exceeds its 2 percent index defined by Act 1.

The school district can apply for exceptions to the Act 1 index, but the state designates only four categories. Pine-Richland planned to file for exceptions based on rising retirement and special education costs.

By adopting the preliminary budget on Monday, the school board gave Siford the ability to file for those exceptions. 

But Siford told the board Monday that Pine-Richland likely will not qualify for the special education category.

The PRSD final budget and millage rate is not scheduled for a vote until the school board's June 10 meeting. In the meantime, the board's finance committee will meet at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, to start discussing the budget. (This is a change from a previously announced March 4 date.)

The public is invited to the meeting, which will be held at the

To view the preliminary budget online, click here for the district's Budget Communications Center. 

Keeping checking back with Pine-Richland Patch for updates on the budget process.

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