The State College Area School District board voted unanimously to approve a preliminary 2016-2017 budget that includes a 4.32 percent tax increase.
That increase is necessary to cover the referendum debt for the massive high school renovation project, which will cost a projected $137.2 million after bids were awarded earlier this month.
The total estimated revenue for the school district in the latest preliminary budget comes in at $143,684,629, while the total estimated expenses are $143,135,910, making for a balanced budget.
The tax increase comes in above the typical 2.4 percent maximum increase, taking into account an exception that allows for an additional 1.92 percent in real estate tax increases to cover referendum debts.
So what does this mean for homeowners in the district’s boundaries? The average resident — meaning someone with property valued at just under $72,000 — will see a base tax of $2,973 and a referendum tax of $156, making for a total tax of $3,129. This number comes in at $130 more than the 2015-2016 tax rate — or 4.32 percent.
According to a press release, the board also approved new additions to the curriculum at the high school in health education, math, and computer science.
The health courses, of which students will choose one to meet a graduation requirement, include a course on managing wellness, a course on sports nutrition and safety, and a course on leadership and becoming a community advocate.
The board also voted to add a statistics course, which will serve as a math elective for seniors. The computer science principles course will be the second offering in that field at the high school, delving into programming, the Internet, and cybersecurity, “giving students the opportunity to use technology to address real-world problems and build relevant solutions.”
Board members also voted to enter into a security contract with St. Moritz Security Services. This became necessary after the tragic passing of community figure Richard Payton, who ran the firm that the board previously retained for high school security monitors.
