Westmoreland County property owners in Kiski Area School District could see a tax hike next year, but those in Armstrong County could get a tax cut.

A preliminary budget approved this week would raise the tax rate 6.8% in the district’s eight Westmoreland County communities while decreasing the rate 7.7% in Parks Township, the district’s only Armstrong County community.

The current school property tax rate for the Westmoreland County communities is 99.88 mills, and the proposed new rate would be 106.67, an increase of 6.79 mills. The current rate for Parks Township is 44.98 mills, and it would drop by 3.48 mills in the coming school year to 41.5 mills.

The difference in the tax rate is because of differences in real estate assessments for each county, which are balanced by the State Tax Equalization Board.

For district taxpayers in Westmoreland County who own a property with the average assessment of $18,000, that would mean a tax increase of $122.

An Armstrong County taxpayer in Parks Township with a house assessed at the average of $27,000 would see their tax bill go down by $97.

Final adoption of the $68.8 million budget is expected to come to a vote at the June 17 board meeting.

Rich Liberto, district business manager, noted the district had the option to raise taxes 7.3% under the index set by the state.

There was no discussion among the board regarding the budget immediately before its approval, but the only two members of the public present had something to say.

Patrick Leyland, an Allegheny Township resident and former school board member, was critical of the board for what he perceived as a lack of transparency.

“We’ve heard really very little discussion on where all this money is going,” Leyland told the board. “When are you asking your questions? I can’t believe we’re spending $60 million with no questions.”

Ron Land, a Washington Township resident, said, while the board gives citizens the opportunity to comment and ask questions, it usually doesn’t give a response.

“It seems to me it would be easy to put the board’s responses into text and post them on the website.

“Please let us know the (budget) details,” Land said. “Let us be involved in the details.”

Board members said there have been a lot of questions asked and discussions held leading up to Monday’s vote.

“We have had a budget presentation two times,” board member Amy Halter said. “It was a wonderful presentation by Mr. Liberto.”

She said that presentation is on the district’s website.

“We are trying to be as open as we can,” Halter added. “We are trying to keep the public informed.”

“I do believe that the board is trying to be as transparent as possible,” said Jenna Rowe, board vice president. “The presentation is on the website, and I would encourage everyone to look at it.”

“We are not trying to hide anything from anyone,” board member Melissa Kowalkowski said.

Superintendent Jason Lohr said there have been six public meetings involving the budget since April 25, calling them “an abundance of transparency.”

“This increase is doing things correctly,” board President Todd Sterlitz said. “Right now, we want to have a position of strength going forward. I feel good about this increase — and I hate tax increases.”

He said the district is in a stronger position financially as it moves toward a multimillion-dollar renovation centered around the high school.

“I’ve never felt more confident about the district’s finances,” he said.

According to Liberto, the tax increase was recommended by the administration to keep pace financially.

He noted the district has yet to initiate borrowing for the forthcoming renovation through a bond issue, which appears to be the likely financing option.

“It (the increase) is to prepare for future debt service,” Liberto said.

But it also is being proposed for things that will be tangible to district residents.

“We put a lot of money into purchasing new band instruments and equipment,” he said. “We’ve had these band instruments for 15 years, and a lot of them were used when we bought them.”

That expense amounts to about $200,000 to $225,000, he said.

Liberto said $175,000 to $200,000 was allocated for building maintenance and equipment, and $500,000 is earmarked for learning materials for classes such as business technology and family and consumer sciences.

Health care costs for district employees have gone up by 12%, as well as reimbursements for cyber and charter school students, he said.

“Northern Westmoreland (Career & Technology Center) raised its rates also, so we had to come up with another $200,000 for that,” Liberto said.

He said the administration has done some belt-tightening, as well.

“We’ve eliminated some positions. We’re down probably two administrators due to the restructuring,” Liberto said. “We may be able to consolidate some positions, which we’ll look at over the summer.”

That could provide some additional savings, he said. However, he emphasized it would be done through attrition, such as retirements or staff departures, not furloughs.

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