Politics & Government

School Taxes to Rise Under Preliminary Budget

The Hatboro-Horsham School Board approved Monday its preliminary budget, which calls for a 1.69 percent tax increase.

Hatboro and Horsham homeowners can expect to pay more in school taxes under Hatboro-Horsham School District’s $89.1 million preliminary budget, which the board adopted Monday night. 

The average Hatboro homeowner would pay an additional $52.16 and the average Horsham property owner would pay an extra $76.70 provided the final budget – slated for a June 17 adoption – calls for the same tax levy. The increase represents $43 per every $100,000 of assessed property value, according to Director of Business Affairs Bob Reichert.

The potential tax boost represents a millage increase from 25.410 to 25.84, which is equivalent to a 1.69 percent increase, according to Reichert. Under Act 1, a state law that sets maximum tax-raising thresholds, 1.7 percent is the cap for a tax increase without applying for an exception, officials said previously.

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Reichert lauded the fact that the district has not had to seek an exception in the seven years since Act 1 was established. He credited the district's "conservative approach" and said, "We've maintained a very high standard for educational excellence."

Despite a similar tax boost last year, district officials said that Hatboro-Horsham has the second-lowest tax increase history over the last 12 years, as compared to the other 20 school districts in Montgomery County.

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Reichert said the proposed 1.69 percent tax increase reflects a reduction of approximately $700,000 in anticipated staffing reductions and reallocations.

Superintendent Curtis Griffin estimated a reduction of nine positions, primarily through retirements and reallocations. 


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