Salisbury Township SD officials propose five new positions, weigh 5.3% tax increase to close ~$200,000 budget gap

Salisbury Township School District officials presented a draft 2024–25 budget that includes five additional positions but still shows a recurring gap of roughly $200,000–$225,000, administration and board members said during the April operations and finance committee meeting.

The administration built into the draft budget five additional positions to address rising enrollment and student needs, citing the need to add classroom capacity in primary grades and to provide targeted services. The package includes expanded classroom sections affecting first and fourth grades, an English‑as‑a‑Second‑Language position, a custodial/maintenance hire and a nurse‑assistant role, administration said. Even with those additions, staff said the operating gap remains and that their baseline assumes a 5.3% tax increase under the Act 1 index to reduce the shortfall.

Why it matters: board members and staff framed the proposal as balancing competing priorities—smaller class sizes and more in‑school supports versus the district’s limited local tax base. Administration noted the elementary school is on a TSI (targeted support and improvement) plan and argued that reduced class sizes and added intervention staff would better support tested grades.

Board debate and community impacts: the 5.3% assumption sparked sustained discussion. Board member Becky framed the household impact in practical terms, saying the increase equates to roughly $225 per year on a median assessed home (about 66 cents per day). Several board members urged more detailed outreach and clearer messaging to the public if the board pursues an increase. Others emphasized the burden on fixed‑income and senior households and asked staff to assemble demographic data and possible mitigation steps before a final decision.

Alternatives and next steps: administration identified tradeoffs if the board declines the 5.3% assumption—most notably, priorities may shift and at least one of the proposed positions could be deferred. The administration also pointed to other discretionary items that could be reduced (examples provided included a $10,000 graduation audio upgrade and a proposed applicant‑tracking system budgeted at about $101,000), while cautioning that many costs (special education placements, transportation contract increases, and contracted services) are less flexible.

Timing: staff said the board must pass a final budget by June 20 and will hold additional budget discussions at a regular finance meeting on May 8. Administration also noted that several variables remain unresolved—state funding remains uncertain until the commonwealth finalizes its budget, and the district is monitoring special‑education placement costs and a string of tax assessment appeals that could affect revenue forecasts.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the tax assumption; members asked staff to return with additional analyses and clearer documentation of tradeoffs before the board makes a final decision.