Upper St. Clair School District Raising Taxes

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA — Taxes are going up in the Upper St. Clair school district. The school board has approved an $87.5 million 2020-21 proposed final budget that will increase the real estate levy by 0.5012 mills or 1.9 percent. The new millage rate will be 26.8787.

The school board will vote on the final budget and taxes on June 29.

“This year's budget process has been the most challenging that I have seen in my 21 years in public education,” superintendent John Rozzo said in a district release. “The impact of the pandemic has created great uncertainty around revenue streams as well as substantial revenue losses totaling more than $1 million.”

The proposed final budget includes a staffing reduction of seven current positions and four proposed positions - including reductions in the areas of operations, teaching and administration. Most position eliminations were accomplished through attrition.

All district administrators have agreed to a voluntary pay freeze. In addition, cuts totaling more than $700,000 have been made to the professional development, technology, operations and supplies budgets.

The 2020-21 proposed final budget is available on the district’s website and at the district’s administrative building, 1775 McLaughlin Run Road.