2.9% Tax Hike Approved In Final Centennial School Budget

WARMINSTER, PA —The Centennial School Board has approved a $140.9 million final budget for the 2023-2024 school year that will include a tax increase for residents in Warminster and Upper Southampton townships.

At its meeting last week, the school board adopted the spending plan, which calls for a 2.9 percent tax increase for the average homeowner.

The school district made some adjustments from the time the preliminary-final budget was approved to the final one, transferring $619,576 from the general fund to offset the deficit and reducing department expenses by $154,768.

With a millage of 159.55, the average homeowner will pay an increase of $109.80 annually, or $9.15 more a month.

School officials said the budget approval marked the fourth straight year of “below” the Act 1 level increases. The Act 1 increase is set by PDE as an acceptable increase based on inflationary measures. This year, the Act 1 limit was 4.1 for Centennial.

"While always keeping in mind the needs of our community, we have agreed on a final budget that is once again under the Act 1 index without cutting any programs or activities for our students," School Board Vice President Patti Crossan told Patch. "I am extremely grateful that we have such a dedicated administration and staff that understands the importance of our Centennial community and works diligently with our board for financial accountability."

The vote wasn't unanimous though. Board member Mary Alice Brancato voted against the final school budget.

"I voted “no” on this budget because a 2.9 percent increase still represents a significant burden on our residents and the board has to be more responsible for how we spend taxpayer money," she told Patch in an email. "Inflation is still high, wages are still lagging behind and we have neighbors struggling to put food on the table. To hit them with hundreds more in taxes is placing them at greater risk. "

She said the board has consistently spent money on expanding the number of high-paid administrators, but not nearly enough on children and employees.

"My primary concern as a school director is the welfare of our children and our community. Asking the residents of our community for more and then not spending all of it on the things our children and employees need is a textbook example of wasteful spending," Brancato added.

Tom Greenwood, the district's business administrator and chief financial officer, made a presentation to the school board before the budget was approved.

He said the district had identified $1.05 million in savings prior to the budget approval.

They included:

• $401,906 —Reduction in Charter School Expense with Success of Centennial’s Virtual Learning Academy, and Registrar’s Review.
• $ 78,764 —Moving to ScreenBeam technology vs. the current Desktop set-up at the Middle Schools and High School. Also provides a better experience for Student engagement.
• $ 150,000 —Staff Compensation

Greenwood said the district also made some "efficient and effective process improvements:

• $ 189,382 —Potential recovery from “Home” district for Foster Care Students
• $ 139,403 —Potential recovery for incorrect 4605 —determination of residence
• $ 82,044 —Students returning to CSD from out-of-district placements
• $ 18,000 - Reduction in Warminister Stormwater charges ($1,503/month)

On April 24, the school board unanimously approved the preliminary-final budget.

The final budget meanwhile includes funding for:

• Safety and security provisions as outlined by the administration. They include the school police officer, security guards, and a network administrator to handle cyber security.
• Funding for the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology.
• Teacher and support staff increases of 3.7 percent.

School officials said this budget also includes the final year of ESSER funding.

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, also known as ESSER, is a $190 billion program created by the U.S. federal government's economic stimulus response bills due to COVID 19.