'Austere and Responsible': Quaker Valley School Board Approves Final Budget

The Quaker Valley School Board approved a final $42.155 million spending plan for the 2013-14 school year that calls for a reduction in the tax rate.

The budget puts the millage at 4.32 mills, which lowers the tax rate from 21.25 mills to 16.93 mills. 

At 16.93 mills, the owner of a home assessed at $150,000 will pay $2,539.50 in taxes. One mill now equals $1.68 million for the district. 

Superintendent Joseph Clapper called this budget "the most difficult" he's had to deal with because of the court-ordered Allegheny County reassessments and the pension crisis affecting every school district.  

The budget is up 2.64 percent over last year because of pensions, which make up 2.1 percent of the increase.

"It's a very austere, responsible budget," Clapper said. 

He said the budget maintains an elementary literacy coach for another year; continues the technology lap top plan; expands the career education program at the high school; adds a kindergarten teacher to maintain class sizes; focuses on a pre-engineering program for high school students; and could pilot a Mandarin Chinese program next year.

Clapper said the millage rate puts Quaker Valley at the lowest of Allegheny County's top performing school districts and fifth among the county's 42 suburban school districts. 

School districts must adjust their millage rates to be revenue neutral following a reassessment. This means some district property owners will see their tax bills increase while others will remain the same or go lower. 

For example, a property owner previously assessed at $150,000 and now assessed at $188,275 will continue to pay $3,187.50. 

However, a homeowner with a higher assessment of $600,000—up from $400,000—will now pay $1,658 more in taxes, or $10,158. 

Meanwhile a property that increased in value from $149,000 to $160,000, will pay about $400 less in taxes. 

"Someone said 'there's winners and losers,' and that's true. There are winners and losers based on your assessed value of your property," Clapper said.

The difference between projected revenues and expenses is $170,800. The district plans to use reserve funds to cover the deficit. 

Clapper said nearly 75 percent of the budget is comprised of salaries and benefits, and includes wage concessions and freezes for various employee groups.

School Directors Danielle Burnette and Debbie Miller commended administrators for the spending plan.

"I just want to say I am very impressed with this year's budget and the effort that has always gone in over the years," she said.

The complete budget is available on the district’s website at www.qvsd.org.