Grants are boosting New Kensington-Arnold School District’s budget by $7.2 million, but a maximum allowable property tax increase — 5% — remains.

The school board approved the district’s proposed budget for the 2022-23 school year, with plans to take a final vote on June 7.

The budget is showing a more than $500,000 surplus, spending about $48.8 million on revenue of $49.4 million.

The district will begin its new fiscal year in July with about $2.9 million in reserves.

The budget calls for a 5% property tax increase, which is at the district’s state-imposed inflation limit. It would add 4.57 mills to the district’s 91.57-mill tax rate, taking it to 96.14 mills.

It would add $67 to the school tax bill for a home at the district’s median assessed value of $14,750.

The budget had totaled $40.9 million, with the same tax increase, when the board gave it preliminary approval in February.

At that time, the district was waiting for approval from the state Department of Education for two covid-related grant programs. The grants, totaling $7.2 million, were approved and included in the proposed final budget.

McVey said $5 million of the $7.2 million will be used for capital projects. The remaining $2.2 million will be spent to address learning loss and accelerate education, emotional and behavioral support, summer and after-school tutoring programs, and attendance and curriculum.

The grant money can be spent over the current school year, next school year and during the 2023-24 school year, McVey said.

Also, the district’s basic education subsidy from the state was increased by $800,000, McVey said.

The proposed final budget is available for public inspection at the district’s administration office and is also available on the district website.

Vo-tech budget approved

The New Kensington-Arnold School Board also approved the $4.1 million 2022-23 operating budget for the Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center. New Kensington-Arnold’s share of that totals about $575,500.

In addition to New Kensington-Arnold, Burrell, Franklin Regional and Kiski Area send students to the vo-tech school.

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