Monday, January 28, 2013
The West Chester School Board will vote on a resolution Monday that says the district will not seek a tax rate increase above 1.7 percent.
The West Chester School Board will vote on a resolution Monday that will limit any tax increase by the district to the Act 1 index of 1.7 percent. Act 1 is a state law that prevents school districts from raising their property taxes above a predetermined rate. For the 2013-14 school year, that rate is 1.7 percent. School districts are allowed to apply to the state for a higher increase rate; however, the school board states in its resolution that it will not seek a tax rate increase above 1.7 percent. Also, the resolution that will be voted on Monday does not raise taxes. Any vote on a tax rate increase would occur in the spring. The school board can pass the resolution stating that they will not raise taxes above 1.7 percent and still …
Friday, November 2, 2012
Taxpayers affected by Hurricane Sandy will have additional time to pay property tax bill.
- SCHOOLS
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Friday, November 2, 2012
The following is a press release from the West Chester Area School District. The West Chester Area School District announced it is granting taxpayers affected by Hurricane Sandy until November 7, 2012, to pay real estate taxes with a due date of October 31st. This calendar relief applies to taxpayers whose 2012 school taxes remained unpaid at the October 31st deadline. Please note that any payments received after the November 7th extension will be subject to interest and penalties. PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS: The portion of your bill marked “REMITTANCE COPY” must accompany payment whether paid by mail or in person. Make checks payable to: West Chester Area School District Payment in person: At any branch of Fulton Bank during regular banking …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The West Chester School Board approves a tax increase of 1.7 percent.
The West Chester Area School Board voted to raise district property taxes 1.7 percent on Monday night as part of the final budget for the 2012-13 school year. “Just like last year this was a very difficult decision,” said school board member Sean Carpenter. “Even though we are raising taxes this year, we will continue to be extremely diligent moving forward.” Several residents at the meeting asked the board to not raise taxes, arguing that the district needs to fix its “spending problem.” “Raising taxes is the easy solution,” said one resident. “I can’t tell my wife I’m going to increase my spending by 1.7 percent because I simply don’t have the money.” Board member Maureen Snook was the only person on the board to vote against the final…
Monday, April 30, 2012
The West Chester School Board will vote on a 1.7 percent property tax increase Monday night.
The West Chester Area School Board will vote on the final budget for the 2012-13 school year Monday night. If passed, the final budget would include a 1.7 percent tax increase. If the budget passes, the district will have an operating budget of around $202 million with 63 percent of that money going towards staff salary and benefits. Residents of the district will also see the millage rate increase to 18.67 if the budget is adopted. The average tax bill is expected to increase by $58, while the average commercial tax bill will increase by $271. On average a West Chester School District homeowner will pay a yearly tax bill of $3,544, while a commercial landowner will pay $16,196. The school board will vote on the budget at the monthly …
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The West Chester Property and Finance Committee moves passes the final budget resolution. The full board will vote on it on Monday, April 30.
The West Chester School Board Property and Finance Committee approved the final budget resolution for the 2012-13 school year Monday night sending it before the full board next week for a final vote. The $202 million budget will include a 1.7 percent tax increase with a millage rate of 18.67. “That number of $202 million represents a $10 million reduction compared to where the budget projection had us at this time last year,” said committee chairman Sean Carpenter. “However, no amount of reform can solve these pension issues.” Despite this year’s balanced budget and the tax increase, the district still faces a dire financial future with a projected potential deficit of $3.2 million next year that could balloon to $12 million by 2015-16. …
Monday, April 16, 2012
The district faces a tough financial future.
- OPINION
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Monday, April 16, 2012
WCASD and its governing board are at a crossroad. The path taken from here will significantly impact what our schools, and perhaps even our town, look like in the coming years. The proposed 2012-13 budget was presented at the March Board Meeting by Sean Carpenter, Chair of the Property & Finance Committee. Many were surprised that it included a 1.7% tax increase. This tax increase is what is permissible under Act 1, and it allows the district to minimize its fund balance usage to $1.4M. While the goal should always be to balance the budget without use of the fund balance, this amount is significantly less than the $2.9M needed for the 2011-12 year, as well as the $3.8M that will be needed without the increase. Those who have followed…
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The average homeowner will see a tax bill increase of $58.
The West Chester Area School Board voted to approve the proposed budget for the 2012-2013 school year that includes a 1.7 percent property tax increase Monday night. “That paints a bleak picture,” said school board member Sean Carpenter after a slideshow depicting the district’s financial health. “A lot of the cost drivers are out of our control; however, we want to continue to look for savings.” “I think it’s a fair budget,” said district superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon. “It’s a difficult budget.” For the 2012-13 school the district will have an operating budget of around $202 million with 63 percent of that money going towards staff salary and benefits. The next highest cost will the $25.2 million the district will pay in debt service …
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Council approved a proposed budget for 2012 that includes no tax increases.
The West Chester Borough Council voted to propose a final budget for 2012 on Wednesday night that will not include a tax increase. The tax rate for 2012 will remain at 6.96 mills, the same rate as 2011. At that millage rate the average household in West Chester would pay $828 per year in property taxes or around $69 per month. In total, the general fund budget for 2012 will be $18,751,134. However, borough council must still vote to approve the final budget in December. Many council members said they did not believe that much would change in the budget between now and December, but if there were changes, they would be small. Several borough council members, including Sue Bayne and John Manion, expressed disappointment in the 2012 budget…
Coach Clark
11:44 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
Good to see. more ›