MANVILLE: School tax would rise by $109 on 'average' home

Owners of the proverbial average home would see an increase of $109 in local property taxes to pay for the 2014-15 borough school budget.

The tax bill on a property assessed at the borough average of $303,900 would increase by $109, said Superintendent Johanna Ruberto.

The Board of Education will hear public comments and vote on the $20.8 million total budget at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, in the media center of the Alexander Batcho Intermediate School.

Local property taxes would pay $13.9 million of the total, up about $270,000 from last year. State revenue would supply $5.25 million, up by about $28,000.

The tax rate for 2014-2015 would increase four cents per $100 of assessed valuation to $1.22, following an increase of three cents per $100 in the previous year.

The budget is right up to the two-percent cap on the total tax levy, per state law.

The budget anticipates reducing 3.5 certificated staff positions, but will be offset by one additional teacher for the fourth grade for the 2014-15 school year, resulting in a total reduction of 2.5 teachers.

There is no reduction in administration positions, and support aides are hired dependent on student annual reviews.

The district has about 190 unionized staffers, not including administration and non-aligned employees. Administrators have their own association of 12 members.

The budget anticipates percentage increases of 13.5 percent for health benefits, but projected energy costs to be flat.

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MANVILLE: School tax would rise by $109 on 'average' home