The Shaler Area School District is committed to providing an exceptional learning environment for students with academic rigor, creative opportunities, and career readiness, while being trustworthy stewards of taxpayer resources.
As an expression of fiscal responsibility and progressive vision for student education, the School Board of Directors approved the 2024–25 budget of $98.45 million during the monthly voting meeting on June 19th. The 2024–25 budget is a 1.61% increase from the 2023–24 budget. The 2024–25 millage rate will be 26.3391.
This budget includes a carefully considered property tax increase of 6.6% in order to address significant cost increases due to inflation. On average with the homestead tax credit, the increase translates to approximately $199 per year for a $150,000 home or a monthly increase of $16.60. This is only the second time the millage rate has increased in the last six years, since federal funding through the pandemic-era Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) had addressed rising costs in recent years.
The 2024–25 budget includes revenues of $98.45M. ’“The district has explored various methods to reduce the budget deficit while sustaining the academic and support offerings for our students,” Dr. O’Black, incoming Superintendent of Schools, explained. “These methods have included cost-cutting measures, renegotiation of vendor contracts, early retirement incentive programs and seeking additional grant funding. Despite these efforts, the need for a tax increase remains to ensure the district can meet its financial obligations and continue providing high-quality education.” The district’s careful management of its reserves reflects a prudent approach to fiscal planning and risk management.
Dr. O’Black shared, “We are committed to closely monitoring both our short and long-term spending plans to ensure fiscal responsibility. Additionally, with future construction and renovation needs districtwide, we are taking into account long-term spending and the future needs to create a sustainable system to support investments in our students and the larger school community.“
- The budget provides funding for vital initiatives to:
- Focus on student program offerings
- Improve and repair school building facilities
- Hire qualified employees to support educational programs at every level
- Enhance safety and security
- Replace student technology software and hardware as part of 1:1 technology program
The budget is available on the business office budget page.
