North Penn School District has started its 2023-24 budget process with a first draft showing a $12.2 million deficit and expenses estimated at $312 million, according to The Reporter.
“Quite frankly, I’m pleased with the fact that it’s only $12.2 million. Last year, when we started our first draft of the budget, we were north of $15 million for the deficit,” said Skrocki in the article. “We do have some increased expenses this year that we didn’t have last year, so the fact that we’re down $3 million for the first draft of the budget, compared to last year, I guess is positive news.”
According to the report, the deficit will get whittled down by refining projections, cutting spending, and revising departmental budgets. At this time last year, the district presented a draft budget with a $15 million deficit.
A 1% tax increase on taxpayers would generate $2.03 million in additional revenue for the district and hit property owners for an extra $42 a year but leave a $10 million deficit. According to the draft budget presentation two weeks ago by district CFO Steve Skrocki to the finance committee, the highest possible tax increase for 2023-24 of 4.1% – the state’s Act 1 index this year – would bring in an additional $8.3 million in revenue, and hit taxpayers for an extra $173, while dropping the deficit to just shy of $4 million.
A tax increase of around 3% would generate $6.1 million in new revenue and ask taxpayers for $126 more a year, per the report.
Expenses proposed in 2023-24, according to the report, include $4.2 million in salary increases, attributed to about a dozen new hires, and $2.7 million for healthcare benefits. Total revenues overall will increase by about $4.8 million over the last fiscal year, per the report. About $2.9 million in expenses will go toward student and teacher laptop replacement.
There is $3.5 million in COVID stimulus spending, of which $900,000 will go toward eight learning coaches and $691,000 to five school climate coordinators, per the report.
Read more on the first draft budget here.
See also:
North Penn Mourns Loss of ‘Community Champion’ Special Ed. Teacher Following Death from Cancer
North Penn ENACT Club Hosting Free ‘Environmental Adventure’ Kids Event on April 29
Student Environmental Group Offers Green Ideas for North Penn High School Renovations
North Penn Provides Update on COVID-19 Federal Stimulus Spending
North Penn School District Holding Community Forum on High School Renovations
