Keystone Central school board okays 3.83 percent real estate tax hike
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Keystone Central School Board, on a 5-3 vote, Thursday night approved an $89 million proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a proposal which calls for a 3.83 percent increase in the real estate levy for property owners in the far-flung district.
It took the board only a few minutes to act on the budget, which had been presented and recommended by the district administration in April. Only board vice-president Roger Elling offered comment prior to the vote. He said the district “unfortunately needs to raise taxes.” He said, “I don’t like it” but based on current and future cost concerns would be voting yes.
Board members voting yes were Elling, Tracy Smith, Jeff Johnston, Butch Knauff and Wayne Koch. Voting no were board president David Dietrich, Elisabeth Lynch, and Rick Schulze. Board member Polly Donahay was not present.
The tax hike will be the first in the district in three years. The budget sets the real estate millage at 13.9 mills in Clinton County, 43.05 in Centre County and 51.86 in Potter County. The district earned income tax and net profits tax will remain at 1 percent. As noted by district administrators last month, the average assessed home value tax increase within the district would be $55 a year.
The brief voting meeting saw Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin recognize the championship performances from the Central Mountain Jazz Band, Marching Band, Colorguard and Majorettes. Representatives from those groups were present for the recognition and shared their recent experiences in Hershey and Wildwood, NJ. Board vice-president Elling told the assemblage that he was “glad to see a group that is growing” and Dr. Martin said their performances “had exceeded expectations.”
The superintendent thanked Central Mountain athletic director/vice-principal Steve Hafele who will be leaving the district at the end of the school year. She noted his work in a variety of areas and mentioned his assistance as the school instituted a bocce team and a girls’ wrestling team. According to the meeting agenda, present Central Mountain Middle School Principal Dave Peters will replace Hafele as the Central Mountain AD.
