4.1% Tax Hike Approved, Merger Talks Ended By Pennsbury Board

FALLSINGTON, PA — Goodbye Morrisville merger talks, Hello High School.

The Pennsbury School Board approved a 4.1 percent tax hike in its $243.6 million final 2023-2024 school budget Thursday night while at the same time voting to end merger talks with the Morrisville School District.

In a 5-2 vote, the school board decided to cease merger talks, but its agenda item stated that "the District will offer collaborative services to assist Morrisville as appropriate."

School board members Linda Palsky and Joshua Waldorf voted against ceasing talks with Waldorf saying he was "concerned about handcuffing our ability."

Pennsbury School District held a public hearing with residents three months ago regarding options for a possible merger with Morrisville. One was for an outright merger while the other two explored tuition agreements.

School Board President TR Kannan, Vice President Gary Sanderson, and board members Jeannine Delwiche, Joanna Steere, and Jim Prokopiak voted for ceasing talks. Board member Chip Taylor abstained.

There was no discussion from the other board member and light applause following the decision.

Meanwhile, the school budget was adopted in a 6-2 vote with a tax hike tagged as a "downpayment" for either the renovation of Pennsbury High School West at a $166.4 million cost or building a brand new high school, which would cost $213.2 million and not be ready to open until 2029.