The Council Rock School Board on Thursday, June 23, 2022, approved a $258 million budget for the 2022-23 school year that includes a real estate tax increase well below the Act One Index of 3.4 percent.

 

After voting down a proposed 1.59 percent tax increase, the board compromised on a 1.25 percent increase requiring the district to dip into its fund balance to the tune of $590,000.

 

The board voted 8-1 to approve the spending plan with Kristin Marcell voting against the motion. Marcell had favored a lower one percent increase, which had been debated by the board before settling on the compromise.

 

"In this time of inflation and available surpluses, I don't believe now is time to pass a tax increase at this number. I support something that is lower," said Marcell.

 

While Marcell favored a one percent increase, board member Yota Palli supported the 1.6 percent increase included in the administration's proposed final budget.

 

"The 1.6 percent increase is not going to allow us to go to town," she added. "It doesn't include our wish list and it's not preparing us for future investments such as full day kindergarten or changing the high school schedule. The 1.6 percent increase is respectful for people on fixed income because it is not a huge increase and is well below the state index."

 

[See “Insights” below for how much more money a typical Newtown Township homeowner would pay for a 1.25% tax increase in school taxes.]

 

The one percent earned income tax and the one percent real estate transfer tax remain unchanged in the new budget.