KCSB Hikes Taxes; Approves Budget

AdminMay 23, 2018Last Updated: May 23, 2018

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BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – The meeting moved along quickly and by the time it was over the Keystone Central School Board had approved a $73.2 million 2018-19 budget which will require a 3.3 percent increase in real estate taxes and a draw-down of $900,000 from the district reserve fund.

The budget was given a preliminary approval Wednesday night on a 7-2 vote, board members Jennifer Bottorf and Eric Probert voting no. The tax hike, to the state-set limit, was approved on the same 7-2 vote. The numbers were altered slightly from what had been proposed, adding in an additional $100,000 to cover the restoration of one music teacher position.

According to information provided at the meeting, real estate taxes will go up 3.19 percent in Clinton County, down 0.95 percent in Centre County (Liberty and Curtin Townships) and up 3.27 percent in Potter County (Stewardson Township). Dollar-wise for the average homeowner in Clinton County, that will equate to a hike of $44, $140 in Potter County and a drop of $47 in Centre County. The tax hike will generate $700,000 for the district, the remaining $900,000 to balance the document from the reserve fund.

The district administration offered a breakdown on budget components: 71.7 percent for staffing; 2.7 percent for debt service; 11.8 percent for “support of other schools;” 6 percent for transportation; 3.8 percent for infrastructure; and 3.7 percent for operating costs.

The board did not act on any possible closing of Dickey Elementary School, although that option has not been removed for 2019-20 school year consideration. Nor did the board follow through on a series of proposed cutbacks to the district’s athletic budget, beyond those already enacted.

The administration did present a look ahead to the 2019-20 school year, offering a series of steps for consideration: