What Do You Think? Should North Allegheny School Directors Raise Taxes?

A day after the primary election, the North Allegheny School Board rejected a proposed tax increase from its administration, and ordered more cuts so that next year's budget would be "revenue neutral."

The vote was 7-2, with Karen Boujoukas and Joseph Greenberg voting for an increase of 0.6611 mills. That would translate into a $26 monthly increase in the tax bill of a home worth $200,000.

However, seven board members voted against the tax hike, arguing the results of the previous day's election indicated residents were opposed to higher taxes.

"I think the community has spoken that they don't want a millage increase, that they would like to see their taxes go down," board member Linda Bishop told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Bishop did not seek re-election this year.

Bishop said she would like to see the district maintain its ranking as having the fifth-lowest millage rate in Allegheny County.

"Don't look at millage ranking in isolation," assistant superintendent Brian Miller told the PG. "We see a return of the investment that is far more significant than many of the school districts in this state." Miller is leaving the district to become the new superintendent at Pine-Richland.

The winners of the May 21 primary, backed by the community group Save NA Schools, have indicated they will not raise taxes, but also want to keep Peebles Elementary School open and lower elementary class sizes. Member of Save NA Schools has also criticized the board for not planning ahead for skyrocketing pension costs.

In arguing for the millage increase, Miller said despite stable enrollment, the district has 50 fewer teachers.

"We are as leanly operating as we have ever operated," Miller told the PG.

At the same time, Superintendent Dr. Raymond Gualtieri has suggested the district was "falling behind" with its technology infrastructure. 

The board is expected to take a final vote on the budget on June 26.

What do you think? Should the North Allegheny School Board raise taxes and set aside money for future needs as the administration has recommended? Tell us in the comments area below.

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