North Hills School Board Approves Proposed Budget, Increases Spending, Cuts Tax Rate

The North Hills School Board  voted 8-1 Monday night to approve a proposed budget for 2013-2014 which increases spending, but also cuts the millage rate. Board member Tom Baker voted no.

The proposed spending plan cuts the property tax rate from 21.26 mills to 16.93 mills. The decrease is the result of new property assessment numbers by Allegheny County, which show increased property values in the district. The millage rate will be recalculated before a final budget vote on June 3, after Allegheny county releases its latest tax assessment figures.

On the spending side, the proposed budget of $69,747,422 is a little more than $1.1 million, or 1.6-percent higher than this year's spending plan.

For a home in the district with a median value of $135,000, the median home property tax bill would decrease $32 from the previous year.

"We continue to work diligently to reduce our annual operating expenses in order to minimize the impact on our local taxpayers," said David Hall North Hills School District's Director of Finance and Operations."

"North Hills School District currently boasts the ninth lowest millage rate among Allegheny County's 41 suburban school districts," the district announced in a statement after the vote. "In the current economic climate, North Hills continues to work to improve efficiencies, while preserving quality academic programs."

Other budget highlights:

• The district will save $316,000 next year due to the elimination of six district school buses and implementation of new arrival and dismissal times at all district buildings. 
• North Hills will enhance security and special education programs and implement new technology resources at all district buildings.
• On the secondary schools campus, wireless and networking infrastructure upgrades totaling $164,150 will improve connectivity and support new devices and current technology utilized by students and staff.
• A total of 92 iPads and 52 laptops will be purchased for district libraries at a cost of $71,600. 
• At the high school and junior high school, 478 new laptops totaling $420,850 will replace outdated devices purchased under the Classrooms for the Future grant seven years ago. 
• $50,000 is budgeted for security enhancements on the secondary schools campus and West View Elementary.
• The district's first autism spectrum support classroom will be housed at Ross Elementary. This classroom will join the continuum of special education services the district provides for its special needs students.
• The budget's largest expenditures continue to be employee wages and benefits at a cost of $47,515,590.
• The district faces a 37 percent increase totaling $1.53 million in contributions to the Public School Employees' Retirement System. This increase is offset partially by a state reimbursement bringing the net increase to approximately $765,000. 

The budget is available for public inspection and comment at central administration and online until the final budget approval tentatively slated for June 3 at 7 p.m. in the administration center.

What do you think of the district's proposed spending plan? Tell us in the comments box below.

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