TESD OKs Proposed Budget With Tax Increase

BERYWN, PA – The Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board recently approved the proposed 2027-2018 school year budget at its regular meeting Monday. If formally adopted, the budget could bring a tax increase to residents in the district.

The proposed budget stands at $136,074,836 in revenue, $5,596,896 in fund balance transfers and $141,671,732 in appropriations on a tentative basis, according to a district press release.

A 3.4 percent tax increase is part of the proposed budget.

If adopted, residents would see an additional $190 tacked onto their school district taxes. That figure is based on the average home assessed in the Tredyffrin-Easttown area, according to the district.

Despite looking to raise taxes, the district said it projects an operating deficit of nearly $1.6 million.

"The projected operating deficit does not consider the financial impact of the teacher and support staff labor union contracts or the administrative agreement that have yet to be finalized," the district said in a press release.

The bulk of district expenditures are in the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and services to students with special needs. Additionally, the district said student enrollment is expected to increase which would call for more instructional staff.

"The District applied and received approval for exceptions to the Act 1 Index for extraordinary expenses in both PSERS contributions and Special Education costs in excess of the Act 1 Index percentage increase of 2.5%," the press release states. "These exceptions allow for an additional property tax rate increase of .906%."

The 2017-2018 Final Budget and property tax rate will be set on June 12 at the regular 7:30 p.m. board meeting at Conestoga High School.

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