School taxes up again for most property owners

Property owners in 13 of Berks County’s 18 public school districts will see an increase in their school property tax bill for the 2019-20 school year.

Faced with continuing increases in costs — notably for special education, charter school tuitions and pension contributions, among others — nearly three quarters of the districts turned to tax increases.

The largest increases were in Boyertown, 3.6%, followed by Antietam and Muhlenberg, both 3.1%.

Antietam maintains the highest total property tax rate in the county at 40.99 mills, followed by Brandywine Heights at 33.7422 mills and Exeter at 33.1107 mills.

A mill is how much in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Property values vary from district to district.

The lowest school property tax rate in Berks for 2019-20 is in Reading at 17.93 mills. That’s followed by Wilson at 26.26 mills and Tulpehocken at 26.85 mills.

For the third year in a row, Tulpehocken cut its property tax rate. The modest cut brings the rate below the 27.08 mills it was a decade ago.

“Over the last 10 years, the district has had a history of being very conservative with taxes and we continue to be fiscally responsible with tax dollars,” said Superintendent Andrew Netznik. “While we understand that not all districts are capable of reducing taxes, we feel as a board and administration that it is important to give back to the taxpayers when we are able to. Our business manager Tom Kowalonek and his team do an outstanding job managing our finances and I think we owe a lot to his leadership for it.”

The Kutztown School District has avoided a tax increase for the fifth year in a row. Superintendent George Fiore said there are many reasons for that.

“The district had several factors that have helped keep the taxes level,” said Fiore, who is leaving the job before the school year begins. “First, Kutztown has experienced declining enrollment beginning in 2010 with a total decrease of about 200 students. During that time, the district has reduced expenses with a large portion being staffing via retirements and resignations.

“There also has been business growth, which has added to the tax base. All of these items coupled with creating efficiencies in the budget and sound business practices have led to a stable millage rate.”

In the Tri-County area, Pottstown is raising taxes by 3.3%, Owen J. Roberts by 2.3% and Pottsgrove by 0.6%.