West Chester Area School Board OKs Budget

School taxes won't be going up next year for residents of the West Chester Area School District.  The WCASD voted on a final budget this week that calls for no tax increases.

The budget vote comes against a backdrop of strained, ongoing teacher contract talks. Union teachers have been working without a contract since last June.  Late last week School Board member Heidi Adsett issued a statement attacking union leaders for what she described as dircting the rank and file "to work to contract."

According to a report in the Chester County Daily Local News, WCASD Association President Debbie Fell and several other teachers took exception to Adsett's allegation and to a statement released in response to Adsett by Board President Vince Young.

• The next teacher contract negotiating session is set for next Monday.

WCASD Posts information and details on 2013-14 District Tax Rates

"The real estate tax rate for Chester County residents of the WCASD will remain steady at 18.67 mills, while Delaware County taxpayers will experience a slight decrease to 13.62 mills, down from 13.78 mills in 2012-13. With an average residential assessment of $189,850 the average Chester County real estate tax bill will be $3,544 for 2013-14. In Delaware County, the average resident tax bill will be $3,882 based on an average assessment of $285,000. Chester County taxpayers account for 95% of the District’s residential property tax revenue, made up from more than 29,000 residential parcels. Delaware County accounts for the other 5% of residential parcels, totaling 1,600 homes.

 

The millage rate found in the 2013-14 WCASD budget provides taxpayers with the lowest property tax rates among all school districts in Chester County.

Sean Carpenter, Chair of the Board’s Property and Finance Committee, said, “Our district has been a model for responsible spending and conservative budgeting for the past three years. Because of the effort taken by our entire district - the Board, staff, teachers, students, and community members - we are able to balance our budget without increasing taxes and at the same time maintain our excellent programs.”

Qualified Chester County and Delaware County homeowners will receive a homestead tax rebate of $131.73 for the 2013-14 school year, based on the State of Pennsylvania’s distribution of gaming proceeds."

Read the District's full statement on the 2013-2014 budget here on the WCASD website.