District set to publish names of tax delinquents

East Allegheny School District will begin publishing the names of homeowners and business owners who owe delinquent property taxes to the district.

The school district has been working with Keystone Collections Group over the past two years to collect back taxes, and Keystone recovered almost $10 million in delinquent taxes before the decision was made to publish the names, the district said.

“While we have made great strides” in collecting the overdue taxes, superintendent Don MacFann wrote in a news release, $17.58 million in residential real estate taxes and $11.53 million in commercial real estate taxes remain delinquent.

“In order to continue to provide quality programming to the students of the East Allegheny School District, the school board will be publishing the names of all those individuals and businesses that remain delinquent in paying their real estate taxes,” Mr. MacFann wrote.

“Please know that this is not an easy decision to make, but with the current financial situation of the school district, the school board feels this course of action is needed to ensure the continuation of educational programming to all students.” On behalf of the district, Keystone has issued more than 15,000 delinquent notices, many sent by certified mail, and has filed more than 1,000 civil complaints to recover delinquent real estate tax revenue in both Magisterial District Court and Common Pleas Court.

Keystone also has initiated rent garnishments from landlords, in accordance with state law.

The school district, which includes East McKeesport, North Versailles, Wall and Wilmerding, will publish delinquent taxpayers’ names as soon as an updated list is obtained and officials can arrange for publication.