Salisbury Township board approves $46.26 million FY‑25 budget, raises real‑estate levy 5.3%

The Salisbury Township School District Board of Education approved its fiscal‑year‑2025 budget on May 15, voting 7–2 to adopt a plan with total expenditures of $46,255,898.51 and a recommended real‑estate tax levy of 23.9449 mills, which the board described as a 5.3% levy increase. Finance committee lead (speaker 16) presented the proposed final budget and answered questions from members.

Board member Mrs. McKelvey (speaker 11) said she would vote no, explaining her concern that the district is relying on interest income as a form of recurring revenue and that approach worries her fiscal prudence. “I have no problem with 5.3. I have no problem with the addition of new positions… My concern is the way in which we're paying for them and our reliance on interest as a form of recurring revenue,” she said.

After discussion, the board conducted a roll‑call vote. The clerk recorded: Mr. Gaither — yes; Mrs. Glenister — yes; Mr. Ganahl — yes; Mr. Hoffman — yes; Mrs. Klinger — yes; Mrs. McKelvey — no; Mrs. Nemitz — yes; Mr. Riccobani — yes; Mr. Spinner — no. The motion carried. Chair (speaker 4) noted the significance of the vote, saying the budget “affects everybody that lives within the Salisbury borders” and thanking members for their diligence.

Board members asked clarifying questions about staffing and state aid assumptions. Administration said the budget includes five new positions (two elementary classroom positions, a nurse, a facilities position, and conversion of a part‑time ESL role to full time) and that some state funding was conservatively budgeted at 50% of expected levels pending final state action. The superintendent and finance staff said hiring for approved positions could move forward as needed if the budget passes and depending on final enrollment and special‑education placements.

Next steps: the budget is adopted by the board; the district will proceed with the hiring and implementation steps described during the meeting and will continue to monitor state funding developments.