NAZARETH, Pa. — Nazareth Area School Board on Tuesday approved a 2025-26 budget featuring a tax increase that will see the average homeowner shell out nearly $120 more per year.
But the vote did not go through without opposition from several board members.
The board approved a $117,147,311 budget featuring a 2.95% tax increase, after hours previously deliberating the matter.
Based on the average home tax assessment value of $74,000, the average owner would see a $118.44 increase in their taxes.Nazareth Area School District information
According to officials, that will mean based on the average home tax assessment value of $74,000, the average owner would see a $118.44 increase in their taxes.
The budget features a 1% real estate tax with a district share of 0.5%, a 0.7% district share tax of earned income, and a school tax levied and assessed at a rate of 59.95 mills on the dollar.
Overall, the increase is 1.72 mills, or 2.95%, for real estate tax, which falls below the state index of 2.74 mills, or 4.7%.
School District Chief Operating Officer Stuart C. Whiteleather said the tax increase was needed to cover “contractual obligations, staffing, medical contractual salaries, as well as planning for the new elementary building.”
'I have to pay, too'
Board members appeared lukewarm, with even those who voted in favor stating they understood the need for the tax increase.
“Can I just preface my vote with the fact that I don't like the tax increase, but being on the board has allowed me to understand exactly why the tax increase is needed, especially the addition from the 2.75% to 2.95%,” board member Christopher Miller said.
"My opinion is I understand it's not something we want, like, ‘We want this. Let's raise the taxes.’ Having heard and learned from you the money we spend for retired teachers, salaries, pensions, Medicare, health care.
“There's a real reason why we have to do this."Board member Melinda Gladstone
"I'm sorry, I understand where that additional money needs to go. So again, I don't like it, because I have to pay, too, but given the information that I am now aware of, I'm voting yes.”
Board member Melinda Gladstone voted for the budget, advising the public that the board and administration had made every attempt to show their intentions and why the funds were required.
“There's a real reason why we have to do this," Gladstone said. "And just wanted to make that clear to some people that are making comments saying that, ‘Well, I wouldn't raise taxes.’
"Until you're sitting in this board and you hear what's going on, until you come here and listen. So I am going to say yes."
'Don't have all those numbers yet'
Board member Kathryn Roberts voted against the budget, stating she had campaigned on the promise to senior residents that she would not vote to raise taxes.
“And I’m going to be trying to be consistent with that,” she said.
“One thing that does concern me is the unknowns that we have out in Harrisburg with legislators."Nazareth Area School Board President Linda Stubits
Board President Linda Stubits also voted against the budget, based on concerns linked to state and federal funding.
“One thing that does concern me is the unknowns that we have out in Harrisburg with legislators," Stubits said.
"We have to account for more because we don't know what our actual amounts are that we will receive from the state and federal government.
“So I'm uncomfortable that we're voting now, at this point in time, and we don't have all those numbers yet from legislators in Harrisburg or what's happening at the federal government level.”
