USCSD adopts resolution limiting tax increase
Nov. 14, 2023
The Upper St. Clair School Board approved a resolution limiting any possible 2024-25 tax increase to within the inflationary index determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The resolution was approved during the school board’s meeting on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.
“Approval of the resolution does not indicate that the district is committing to any tax increase,” Dr. John T. Rozzo, superintendent of schools, said. “We are just beginning the budget process. A final budget recommendation will be presented in May, with a vote by the school board in June.”
Upper St. Clair’s current millage rate is 29.6339 mills. Passage of the resolution assures taxpayers that any proposed increase to the real estate tax rate will not exceed 5.3% or 1.5705 mills.
“At 5.3%, this is the highest base since the inception of the Act 1 index,” Dr. Rozzo said. “It is a reflection of the times as costs have increased significantly – not just for school districts, but for everyone.”
Act 1 of 2006 sets an upper limit that school districts can raise property taxes. The index amount is calculated annually and reported to school districts by PDE. To exceed the index, school districts can apply for exceptions for pension and special education costs or by holding a voter referendum. The resolution passed by the school board establishes that Upper St. Clair will not apply for any exceptions to exceed the limit.
The Act 1 timeline, set by PDE, requires each school district to either adopt a resolution indicating that it will not raise the tax rate by more than its index or post a 2024-25 proposed preliminary budget for public inspection by Jan. 4, 2024.
Throughout the next several months, Dr. Rozzo and Scott Burchill, director of business & finance, will provide budget updates during regularly scheduled school board meetings. By law, the district’s final budget and tax rate must be approved by June 30, 2024.
More information:
- Act 1 of 2006, the Taxpayer Relief Act: Among other information, this site provides details on how the Act 1 Index is calculated.