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To raise taxes or not to raise taxes.
That is the question facing the Montoursville Area School Board members as they consider next year's district budget.
Montoursville business manager Brandy Smith advised school directors this week that a 0.33 millage increase on real estate would be prudent.
A 0.33 mill tax hike would mean an additional $33 for residents with properties having an assessed value of $100,000.
But some board members weren't on board, claiming that perhaps a tax hike can wait until at least the following year.
Dale Ulmer noted that some of the district's healthy fund balance can be used to offset a tax hike for now.
He said he is always "amenable to small increases" every year, but not when the fund balance is growing.
"This is a year when I am not going into the community and asking for more money," he said.
Smith said the tax hike would be used to pay for added security in the district, which as yet has not been funded.
"I know there is sentiment not to have a tax increase," Smith said. "I would like to see millage built in for security because that is an ongoing cost going into the future."
Board member Ron Snell also spoke out against a tax hike. He noted that residents have absorbed too many of them over the years.
A 0.30 millage increase was included in this year's spending plan.
Putting off a tax hike, Smith said, will only mean additional costs for the district next year.
"I just need the board to understand that it will catch up quicker than you think," she said.
Security, she said, will be a recurring expense.
In addition, Smith noted the district already faces possible expenses for building improvements, including upgrades at Loyalsock Valley Elementary School.
In the meantime, costs are up and interest rates for borrowing are expected to increase, she added.
Board President Dave Shimmel, for one, said he would favor a 0.33 mill tax increase.
"At some point in time you have to fund recurring expenses with a tax increase," he said.
The deadline to pass next year's final budget is June 30.
In other matters, the board acted on personnel issues.
Megan Smith was approved to a long-term elementary position until the end of the school year.
The following were added to the teacher substitute list for this year: Steven Tressler, Carolina Lopez and Adeline Pereira.
The board approved the resignations of paraprofessionals Rebecca Chow and Robin McKenna.
Courtney Bauder was approved as a girls softball assistant coach at a stipend of $1,500 and Eric Easton as a boys soccer volunteer coach.
The board met in executive session following the regular meeting to consider personnel issues.