Mount Lebanon School District proposes tax increase for nutrition and budget improvements

The Mt. Lebanon School District's recent meeting on April 8, 2025, focused on the district's budget for the upcoming school year, highlighting significant funding sources and proposed tax increases.

A key discussion point was the projected $644,000 in funding from the United States School Nutrition Services, which supports the district's food service program. This funding is crucial for providing free breakfast and reduced-cost lunches to students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals at school.

The meeting also addressed a proposed tax increase to the Act 1 index, which would raise the current millage rate of 0.0293005 by 4.7%. This increase is expected to generate approximately $3.4 million in revenue for the district. Additionally, special education exceptions would add another 0.0002724 mills, contributing nearly $750,000. If approved, the new millage rate for the 2025-2026 school year would be 0.03095 mills.

To help taxpayers understand the impact of the proposed increase, the district presented a chart detailing the tax implications based on different home values. For instance, homeowners with properties valued at $200,000 would see a smaller tax increase compared to those with homes valued at $500,000.

The budget for the 2025-2026 school year is projected at $25.1 million, an increase of $3.8 million from the previous year's estimated final expenditures of $21.2 million. However, the district has managed to reduce certain expenses by $1.5 million since the initial budget presentation in March.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to maintaining essential services while navigating financial challenges, with a focus on transparency and community impact. Further discussions and decisions regarding the budget will continue in upcoming meetings.