Countdown to April 29 to PERMANENTLY close M. R. Reiter. Ask the board to see the 6 point plan.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Tax Increase for MV Schools?

By this time last year, the "stop the school and do nothing else" board of education had already said no tax increases and had published their resolution to not exceed the 4.1% Act I increase cap.

As we all know, they DEcreased taxes for 2008-2009 through one-time gimmicks like bond defeasement and first time draconian cuts in other line items. Yes, we were the only district in Bucks to decrease taxes.

Now for the 2009-2010 budget cycle, where's the triumphal crowing and cackling about saving the taxpayer money? Where's the resolution to keep the tax increase low?

I hear rumor that the Emperor has identified a sizeable gap in THIS year's budget and that next year's budget increase will be a whopper. This is BEFORE the teacher pension fund issues that he's already identified as being a 35 mill tax increase for 2010-2011 and beyond.

Does anyone have the inside story? [Shout out to the departed Reba Dunford who said this would happen.]

Things you hear outside on a chilly day

Here's an email from a parent that was sent to the school administration and graciously copied to me as well. Removing personal information, here's what it says:

Just wanted to tell you about a conversation I had with a [...] mother outside waiting for [...] this afternoon. The mother said she had her daughter in private school for the past two years and the education she receives HERE in Morrisville is BETTER than the private school. She went on to say how much she loved the teachers and how much her daughter enjoys her school.

While you and I already know this, it is always nice to hear it. SO I thought I would send it along.

We know it here too. It's only the school board that doesn't.

Bristol Twp: $145 school tax hike

From the BCCT.

$145 tax hike projected for 2009-10
By JOAN HELLYER

The owner of Bristol Township’s average assessed property would need to pay about $145 more in taxes in the upcoming school year to help cover district expenses, according to projections reviewed by the school board Tuesday night.

The 9.1-mill projected increase would be just shy of how much the board is allowed to raise property taxes without having to seek voter approval, as dictated by the state’s property tax relief law, said Gerald Barcik, the district’s business manager.

The board passed a resolution Tuesday night promising not to raise taxes more than 5.2 percent so it will not need to have a referendum in the May primary.

If projections remain the same, the 2009-10 tax increase would bring the district’s total millage to just more than 185 mills.

That means the owner of the district’s average assessment of $16,000 would pay about $2,970 in taxes during the upcoming school year.

About $3 million in additional salary and benefits are fueling the additional costs in the near $114 million budget, he said.

In addition to the additional tax revenue, Barcik suggested the board consider using $1.6 million of the district’s saving’s account, known as the fund balance, to prevent the need for an even greater tax increase.

Barcik said he did not include a potential gambling rebate into consideration that would reduce the tax hike because gambling revenues have declined around the state.

Board members will begin in March to take an in-depth look for ways to trim expenses, Barcik said. The board has until June 30 to adopt a final budget.

Meeting Reminder

Morrisville school board: 7:30 p.m., large group instruction room of Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St. Agenda: set agenda for next week’s meeting. 215-736-2681