Montoursville board advances proposed $35.45M budget that includes 0.75‑mill tax increase for public review

The Montoursville Area School District board voted on May 14 to advertise a proposed $35,450,363 general fund budget for 2024–25, allowing public review ahead of a final adoption vote in June. The version presented includes a recommended 0.75‑mill tax increase that would raise the district millage to 17.28.

Business manager (unnamed in the record) told the board the proposal reflects updated revenue forecasts, including an anticipated $434,884 increase in the basic education subsidy and other changes that together increase state revenue by $712,299 over last year. The manager also singled out a near‑$1 million rise in cyber charter costs over the last decade and growing special‑education and transportation expenses as drivers of the budget gap.

The proposed budget pack shows local revenue increases of about $956,267 and projects an ending fund balance near $3.7 million if current estimates hold. The business manager said the district is still awaiting final state budget numbers and will present updates at the work session before the June 11 final‑budget vote.

Residents at the meeting urged caution. Catherine Burns, a Montoursville resident, told the board, “I’m asking you to vote no on a tax increase because it’s not gonna benefit the children,” and asked the district to look first at cost‑saving measures including shared services and leasing facilities. Paul Rinker, another resident, criticized the district’s approach to budgeting, saying, “Most people come up with a budget, they figure out what they have, and then they fit their expenses into the budget. For some reason, the school district figures out what they want and figure out how to get the money for their budget.”

Board members debated fiscal responsibility and community impact. One board member said they did not want to raise taxes but argued the district must avoid “deteriorating” facilities and cut programs only at the risk of harming students. Another member urged waiting for the state funding updates before committing to a final millage decision.

By vote, the board approved advertising the proposed final budget for public comment and further review. The board’s recorded roll call on the motion reflected approval to proceed; the budget will return for final action in June after the work session review and any adjustments tied to state funding.

Next steps: the district will post the proposed budget for public review, discuss it at the May work session, and adopt a final budget at the June meeting. The board repeated that any final millage decision could change once the state budget numbers are finalized.