Board begins work on 2017-18 budget

The highest the McKeesport Area School District can raise taxes for the 2017-18 school year will be 0.63 mills, or a little more than a $60 increase for a property assessed at $100,000.

The board unanimously voted to not raise taxes above the district’s 3.8 percent state Act 1 index Jan. 25.

“It doesn’t mean we have to raise (taxes) by that much, but that is the max,” district business manager David Seropian said.

Theboardincreasedmillage by 0.59 for the current school year, taking the rate to 16.74. If increased to the maximum for the 2017-18 school year, millage couldbeashighas17.37.

Board vice president Mary Jane Keller, who also sits on the finance committee, said the district currently has a fund balance of $4.6 million.

Ms. Keller said the district is looking at a $600,000 increase in charter school funding as well asincreasesinthedistrict’sPublic School Employees RetirementSystemcontributions.

“The 2017-18 budget is $5.3 million out of line,” she said. “However, this is still a work in progress.”

Also at the meeting, McKeesport resident Joe Hoffman said a memorial honoring 23 McKeesport soldiers, referred to as the “McKeesport 23,” who died in the Vietnam War, is being constructed. It will be in the courtyard at McKeesport High School.

Mr. Hoffman said the memorial is funded through donations and about $4,300 of the $6,400 cost has been raised. The monument is being designed by Design Monuments of McKeesport and will be 3 feet high, 30 inches wide and made from black granite. It will display names, military branch and rank, and dates of birth and death of the soldiers.

“We are looking at around the middle of April to install the monument,” said George Gaydos of Design Monuments. A ceremony to unveil it is planned for May 13.

“We are honored that you’ve selected the high school courtyard for it to be placed here,” said district superintendentRulaSkezas.

Those interested in donating to the McKeesport 23 Memorial Fund can mail checks payable to Design Monuments to the McKeesport Area School District c/o Public Relations Department, 3590 O’Neil Blvd, McKeesport, PA 15132. Donations are being accepted through February.