WHITEHALL, Pa. — The proposed 2025-26 budget for Whitehall-Coplay School District may result in another tax jump for property owners and possible staff reductions.
School District Business Manager J. Michael Malay Jr., presented the school board’s Finance Committee with a proposed budget Monday.
Following Monday’s meeting, Malay confirmed a real estate tax increase of 5.3% is possible. By law, a school district cannot assess an increase of more than 5.3%.
A 5.3% increase would raise the millage to 22.8394, meaning the owner of the same home would pay about $115 more a year, or $2,284.Whitehall-Coplay School Board presentation
Whitehall-Coplay School District's current property tax rate now is 21.6898 mills, meaning the owner of a home valued at $100,000 for tax purposes pays about $2,169 in property tax.
A 5.3% increase would raise the millage to 22.8394, meaning the owner of the same home would pay about $115 more a year, or $2,284.
A 1% tax increase equals $504,000 in tax revenue, Malay said.
Last year’s budget included a tax increase of 4.5%. The 2023-24 budget had a 2.9% increase.
The budget is $103,244,433 — an increase of $7.54 million over last year’s budget.
Current revenues are $96,335,204. Should the proposed budget be adopted, it would result in a spending shortfall of $6,909,229.
'Not a lof of fluff'
Using a slide presentation, Malay explained the budget hike is needed to address increases in teacher and staff salaries, para-professions, medical coverage and Social Security payments.
Also, bond payments, special education programs, electricity, district repairs and maintenance, school bus purchases, Intermediate Unit transportation and technology.
“To cut this budget drastically, you’re looking at cutting staff. And if we don’t hit 100 percent of the governor’s budget, we’re in more of a hurt.”J. Michael Malay, business manager, Whitehall-Coplay School District
Other cost increases include a $500,000 jump in payments for charter schools.
The school board will consider the proposed final budget at its regular meeting on April 28.
The final budget presentation will be May 12 at the board’s finance committee meeting.
Adoption of the final budget is set for June 9 at the regular board meeting.
Board President William P. Fonzone asked Malay about options for trimming the budget.
“What percent of the budget do we control, roughly?” Fonzone asked.
“Five to 10 percent,” Malay said. “But we have to buy books, computers … There’s not a lot of fluff.
“To cut this budget drastically, you’re looking at cutting staff. And if we don’t hit 100 percent of the governor’s budget, we’re in more of a hurt.”
