Mount Union board tentatively adopts $26.6 million 2024–25 budget amid debate over tax increase

The Mount Union Area Board of Education voted to grant tentative adoption of the district's proposed 2024–25 final budget, which lists total anticipated expenditures of $26,619,258 and anticipated revenues of $24,654,536.

Board members and members of the public spent more than an hour debating the package's fiscal assumptions and whether to seek a local tax increase to cover a structural shortfall. One board member warned the district can't "continually take more money away from people" and said "this has to stop," arguing state policy on charter schools has shifted costs onto local taxpayers. Another board member said legislators have pledged to pursue charter-school relief and urged patience, but acknowledged the district needs new revenue.

The administration noted an estimated general fund operating loss of about $630,000 in the most recent audited year and told the board the district is running deficits that will require action. The board discussed options including targeted cuts, attrition, and a potential tax increase; one trustee urged the board to "hold their feet to the fire" with state lawmakers while another said raising taxes may be unavoidable to maintain services. The board moved the meeting date for final adoption to Thursday, June 20, to meet the 30-day public-notice requirement and to allow further review.

Chair (role label) said the motion to grant tentative adoption carried; the board will hold a special workshop and meeting in June to finalize the budget. No final tax rate was set at the meeting.

The district will publish the proposed final budget for public inspection in advance of the June action and will return to the board for a final vote that must comply with statutory notice timelines.