Ambridge School Board unanimously approved plans to file for Act 1 exceptions, rather than limit the budget to the permitted tax index set by the state.
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School board member James Sass, chairman of finance and budget, said Wednesday it isn't prudent to tax the budget right now at any definitive increase without state guidance.
Legislators have not passed a state budget yet for this fiscal year.
“It is not known what that budget will entail,” Sass said.
The school board could have chose to cap any potential tax increase to 3.3 percent, or 2.503 mills. Taxes are currently 75.861 mills.
Sass said early numbers in Ambridge's preliminary proposed budget show a “significant deficit.”
Until the district gets better information from the state, as well as some progress on the teachers’ contract, the board did not want to limit its alternatives to balancing the budget, which could include a higher tax increase.
The board doesn’t have to raise taxes to the index, but seeking exceptions will give them the option.
"I want everybody to understand it doesn't mean we're raising taxes," Board President Roger Kowal said. "We're leaving all of our options open."
A proposed preliminary budget must be made available for public inspection by Jan. 7, 2016.
Legislators have not passed a state budget yet for this fiscal year.
“It is not known what that budget will entail,” Sass said.
The school board could have chose to cap any potential tax increase to 3.3 percent, or 2.503 mills. Taxes are currently 75.861 mills.
Sass said early numbers in Ambridge's preliminary proposed budget show a “significant deficit.”
Until the district gets better information from the state, as well as some progress on the teachers’ contract, the board did not want to limit its alternatives to balancing the budget, which could include a higher tax increase.
The board doesn’t have to raise taxes to the index, but seeking exceptions will give them the option.
"I want everybody to understand it doesn't mean we're raising taxes," Board President Roger Kowal said. "We're leaving all of our options open."
A proposed preliminary budget must be made available for public inspection by Jan. 7, 2016.
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