BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bethlehem Area School Board on Monday signed off on a 2024-25 budget that comes with $353.2 million in expenses and a 3% property tax hike.
The last time the district approved an increase its property tax millage was 2018, at a rate of 2.5%.
The vote was 5-0.
Board members President Michael Faccinetto, Vice President Shannon Patrick, Kim Shively and Emily Schenkel were absent.
Superintendent Jack Silva said the spending plan “maintains all of our academic programming, asks for some additional revenue from our local taxpayers and manages our fund balance at the policy level of where it should be.”
In Northampton County, BASD residents will pay an extra $53.29 on average due to the tax hike. In Lehigh County, BASD residents will pay an additional $16.29 on average.
During a budget discussion in May, Silva said the proposed effect on local pocketbooks would be “very minimal.”
In Northampton County, BASD residents will pay an extra $53.29 on average because of the tax hike. In Lehigh County, BASD residents will pay an additional $16.29 on average.
In Northampton County, the average house is assessed at $62,300, and the average school district tax bill is $3,630. In Lehigh County, the average house is assessed at $142,450, and the average school tax bill is $2,600.
Budget highlights
The final budget comes with some “minor tweaks” compared with the approved proposed budget from last month, according to district Chief Financial Officer Harry Aristakesian.
One of those tweaks includes $75,000 in additional revenue.
Revenue totals are projected at $346 million, with $6.4 million appropriated from the district’s fund balance to fill the gap from projected expenses.
“What's being presented tonight for the board's final approval is a budget that really maintains all of our academic programming, asks for some additional revenue from our local taxpayers and manages our fund balance at the policy level of where it should be.”Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Jack Silva
The district plans to issue debt of $20 million for the new Fountain Hill Elementary School construction.
There could be some revisions to the new budget if “significant changes” come out of the new state education spending plan due for a vote by June 30, Aristakesian said.
Because of unknowns at this time, the district estimates getting 50% of the amount Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed for Bethlehem Area’s share of basic education and special education funding.
The governor’s spending plan, in its current phase, includes a $1.1 billion increase in BEF, a $50 million increase in SEF and almost $900 million in adequacy funding.
