Nazareth School Board Approves Preliminary Budget with Tax Increase

The Nazareth School Board approved the district’s $68.8 million preliminary budget last night, which allows for a 1.7 to 2.5 percent tax increase.

Calling those numbers “placeholders,” Superintendent Victor Lesky explained that “everything could change."

On March 8, Gov. Tom Corbett will unveil the proposed state budget and the amount of dollars coming the district's way.

“The preliminary budget must be approved by Feb. 16,” said Bernadine Rishcoff, the board secretary.  “By doing that this evening, we are in compliance.  This is preliminary and there will be many revisions until final adoption in May.”

Until then, taxpayers in the Nazareth Area School District are facing an increase.  The 2.5 percent exceeds the 1.7 percent tax index and would mean a 1.17 mills increase in real estate taxes.

Residents currently pay 46.9 mills in school taxes, or $2,345 for every $50,000 of assessed property value.  If the budget stands as is, school taxes would increase to 48.07 mills.

Lesky explained that cuts are planned.

“I can assure you that in March, April and May, you will see program cuts coming to this board,” he said, adding that the exact cuts are yet to be determined.

When describing the financial strain on his elderly parents, who haven’t seen a in two years, Michael Kopach, a Nazareth resident, asked board members to listen to their conscience.

“It’s time the school board and other government agencies – if you have a conscience – to realize what you’re doing to these elderly people,” he said.  “These people worked all their life and are getting squeezed year after year.”

Board member Linda McDonald became emotional when responding to Kopach and other residents who spoke.

“We have to think about the seniors, the low income [individuals], and the kids.  We have to balance that act,” she said.  “There have been nights when I haven’t slept wondering what I’m going to do.  I have seniors as parents, I have kids.  I understand that balance and I just wanted you to know that none of us takes this lightly." 

Thomas Maher was the only board member to vote against the preliminary budget. 

“The board has had opportunities in past years to reduce the spending,” Maher said.  “You reap what you sow.  You decided to spend these kind of monies in past years and it’s catching up to you.”