May 14, 2015 3 min read

Canon-McMillan business manager Joni Mansmann said she often is asked why the school district’s tax rate is increasing, despite steady growth in new housing developments.

Her answer: The district is growing, which is good because it increases tax revenues.

“But with growth comes added expenditures,” said Mansmann during Canon-McMillan School Board’s agenda meeting Thursday. “Much of the residential growth results in more children joining the district, so while there are additional revenues from the additional children, it affects class sizes as well as all other acedemic, activity, transportation and athletic expenses.”

Mansmann presented a financial snapshot of the district at the meeting, after re-working a preliminary budget that was approved by the school board in April. The $73,123,254 preliminary budget still calls for a 2.4-mill tax increase to support the budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

The financial snapshot shows expenses of $73,108,184.

The assessed value of a home in Canonsburg is $11,100, meaning a property owner will pay approximately $26.64 more in property taxes if the budget is adopted. In Cecil, the average assessed value of a home is $19,619, which will result in about a $47 annual increase in property tax, while the assessed value of a home in North Strabane Township is $23,427, which will increase property taxes by about $62.86.

Mansmann also reviewed the district’s long range plan, which includes the construction of the new Muse Elementary School and renovation of Canon-McMillan High School, which will cost an estimated $15 million and will include additional stadium improvements and relocation of central offices.

In addition, the district plans to build a new middle school, which will cost an estimated $40 million.

The district’s elementary schools also will be addressed in the long range plan.

THe district plans to construct a new elementary school at its Wylandville site, renovate Hills Hendersonville Elementary School, and expand and renovate South Central Elementary School.

When the elementary projects are completed, the district will implement full day kindergarten and other academic programs.

The district also is dealing with an unexpected expenditure, the renovation of the track and field, which was deemed unsafe for play recently. The cost for renovation is $1.2 million, and is expected to be completed in August.

Mansmann noted that Canon-McMillan is ranked 11th lowest in millage rate out of the county’s 15 school districts.

“We’re really staying competitive with our neighbors,” said Mansmann.

The proposed budget includes an additional $770,000 from the state, but Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget has not been finalized so the district can only estimate its state contribution.