Plum school taxes rise

Plum Borough School Board voted 6-3 to adopt the district’s 2022-23 general fund budget, totaling $68.77 million, with an accompanying 4.5% increase in the real estate tax rate.

Voting against were Ronald Sakolsky, Devin Adams and Megan Chuderewicz, who cited the tax increase and a lack of committed funding for full-day kindergarten as reasons for their dissension.

The increase, which puts the rate at 22.0241 mills, represents the district’s maximum based on the index assigned by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Proponents of the increase said at the board’s May meeting that it is necessary because the rate had not risen in the previous few years, combined with rising costs to maintain the needs of the district and a concerted effort not to make any major budget cuts or widespread layoffs.

Also in May, Michael Caliguiri, board president, submitted a report specific to the budget, which states in part that the spending plan advances “plans for reimplementation of full-day kindergarten, and following the recommendations of the kindergarten task force to purposefully plan and save become formalized and a step closer to reality.”

“Our mental and behavioral health programs will not only remain intact, but also have the potential to be more robust via additional resources that we can plan and pay for next year and beyond,” he also wrote. “Our fund balance becomes healthier, the need to borrow less likely and our fiscal ratings are stronger.

“The ability to continue to improve safety and security protocols and the necessary technology and equipment is bolstered. When a new challenge arises we will have the ability to respond swiftly and effectively given our available fund balances.”

Plum Borough’s 2021-22 real estate tax rate ranked 27th out of 46 school districts in Allegheny County, according to the county treasurer’s office.