Carmichaels school board raises taxes
CARMICHAELS – Taxes will be going up for property owners in the Carmichaels Area School District after the district’s 2013-14 budget was adopted by the school board at their meeting June 20.
The $15,292,818 budget is about 3.5 percent greater than the current budget, which district Business Manager Amy Todd said is attributed directly to the school renovation project.
The district raised taxes by 0.55 of a mill, which is the highest rate allowed under the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 25 of 2011). A ballot referendum is required by the law for any tax increase rate higher than the 0.55 of a mill rate. The increased millage rate will raise the tax levy from the current 21.5 mills to 22.05 mills.
Todd explained a property assessed at $40,000 will see an increase of $22.82 from last year bringing the property taxes to $882. A property assessed at $100,000 will see an increase of $55.82 from last year with property taxes now of $2,205.
She said the 0.55 of a mill increase will raise about $67,000 for the district. The last tax increase by the board was five years ago in 2008.
Some property owners may be eligible for the homestead or farmstead exception amounting to an estimated tax relief of $221.
The renovation project includes all three of the district’s campus buildings at an estimated cost of between $23 million and $25 million. It is expected the state will reimburse an estimated $7 million brining the district’s cost for the project to between $16 million and $18 million.
In other business, the board hired Crystal Pratt as an elementary teacher and Brittney Giovanelli as a special education teacher. Superintendent Craig Baily said Pratt has been a long-term substitute in the district for 2 years.
The board also hired Carl Sanner as a maintenance technician.
Baily said one teacher position was eliminated through attrition.
A wage freeze was agreed to and the board approved a one-year extension on the current agreement with the district’s six secretaries, security director Mike Gyurke and school community facilitator Tim Jones.
The board hired Ryan Krull as head football coach and assistant coaches Brad Burnett, Fred Morecraft, John Menhart, Joshua Novotny, Jan Haiden, Ron Gallagher and Richard Krause. Gallagher’s position is funded by the Quarterback Club. Krause’s salary is donated back to the district as he is a member of the school board.
The board accepted the resignations of Joanna Walker, drama coach; Erin Drury, assistant band director; and Cassie Menhart, senior class sponsor.
Baily and the board thanked maintenance supervisor Lewis May for “doing a great job and for his 27 years of service to the district.”
May, who will be retiring effective June 30, said this being his last board meeting was bittersweet.
“It has been a great job working with great people,” May said. “The board has been really supportive.”