South Williamsport Area School board halves tax hike in proposed budget
President says no decision made to level Rommelt
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A proposed final budget for the 2025-26 school year presented at its Monday night meeting saw the millage increase included in previous versions cut in half.
Should the budget pass during the district's June 23 meeting, residents of the borough will see a .25, or 1.31%, mil increase, with an average cost of $25.47 annually, or $2.12 monthly.
The revised budget saw revenue increase by $23,499, while expenditures decreased by $159,029, which resulted in a surplus of $182,528, according to a budget presentation by Business Manager Jamie Mowrey.
Some areas of increased revenue include earned income taxes, which rose by $25,000, interest on income by $25,000, basic education by $53,466 and special education by $27,008.
Expenditures were decreased as a result of adjustments made to salaries and benefits, which saw a net decrease of $141,079, the removal of a second school police officer position, the reduction of an open custodian position from full-time to part-time, as well as adjustments made to anticipated costs associated with new technology purchases, Mowrey said.
During an update on the Rommelt Elementary School feasibility study, board President Todd Engel stressed that no decision on tearing down the building has been made.
"There are a lot of rumors floating around out there, and I just want to kind of squash them," Engel said.
"Everything is on the table, but that's not the case," Engel stressed. "No decision has been made at this time."
The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 23.