No Tax Hike: Norristown SB Adopts $179.2 M Budget for 2022-2023

NORRISTOWN — The Norristown Area School Board adopted a $179.2 million budget, calling for no tax increase for the second year.

The budget includes hiring 25 new staffers, including seven teachers, six reading specialists, two psychologists and four special education teachers.

The budget also includes funding for new bleachers in the high school gymnasium., and upgrades in the high school cafeteria and at five elementary school playgrounds.

“This is an investment in our students with 25 new staff members along with a zero% tax increase,” Superintendent Christopher Dormer said during a May 23 meeting.

The superintendent noted that graduation is set for this Thursday.

He said in his 26 years in education, this last year has been most difficult as a result of the pandemic.

“Despite everything, we stayed open,” he said. “I am very proud of our team.”

Next school year's budget

In the 2022-23 budget, the millage rate remained at 39.2 for each $1,000 of assessed property.

The average taxpayer in the district will pay $4,792 in school taxes in the 2022-2023 school year, according to the budget.

The average home in Norristown is assessed at $245,000.

The district also receives a homestead of $3.4 million from the state’s gambling distribution.

Owners in the homestead program receive a $311.73 reduction in school taxes.

Phillip Daniels, board president, noted the budget was adopted a month earlier than the deadline, allaying fears of any cutbacks.

"Everyone know they have a job, and they know it a month early," Daniels said.

The superintendent said the district is still underfunded and he hopes the state will allocate $10 million to the district through the American Rescue Plan.

Dormer said that with a $9 billion state surplus, he anticipates the money would be available, noting it would be very helpful to the students.