Three large suburban school districts, three separate counties with various years of performing their last reassessment, and three very important facts: spending drives the need for taxes, Act 1’s remaining exceptions still allow for too much leeway, and voters will likely never get to place an up or down vote on a tax increase.
In Mt. Lebanon (Allegheny County, reassessment ongoing for implementation in 2013) taxes are expected to go up half of a mill, bringing millage to 27.13. School taxes in that district have gone up every year with the exception of two since the 2002-03 school year. With no reassessment nearly all of the increased levy to the District has come from the millage hikes.
In Peters (Washington County, last reassessment in 1985, but in court now) taxes have risen from 75 mills in 2003-04 to 96.51 mills for this school year. If the board takes action on the proposed 3.75 mill increase it would take school millage over 100 mills.
Lastly, Hempfield Area (Westmoreland County, last full reassessment in 1973, but made a predetermined ratio change in 1982) is set to boost millage 1.47 mills to 71.62. The District raised taxes every year from 2003-04 through 2007-08 and the rate has held steady since then.
When will the Legislature act to put stringent referenda requirements (with no exceptions) in place for school tax increases?
