West Leechburg to see tax increase under new school district budget

A portion of the Leechburg Area School District will see a real estate tax increase for the next school year.

School directors adopted a $15.5 million budget that will hike real estate taxes in West Leechburg by 6.85 mills — an almost 6% increase.

Real estate taxes will remain the same at 71.50 mills in Leechburg and Gilpin, representing the Armstrong County portion of the school district.

The West Leechburg increase is due to tax equalization practiced by school districts that cover two different counties and two standards of property assessment.

West Leechburg property owners will see some consolation in that the homestead/farmstead exclusion for qualified properties will increase by $70 to $328.33.

The vote was 9-0.

The school district is expecting at least a $400,000 subsidy from the state that will help close a $716,000 deficit.

Also, the school board adopted a five-year agreement with the SEIU that will cover custodial, food service and maintenance employees from July 1 until June 30, 2027.

Employees in each of those three sectors will receive an annual 3% salary increase.

The board also approved an $11 per hour pay rate for substitute custodians.