Residents of the Easton Area School District raised a vote for a sizable tax rise.
The budget for the fiscal year 2025–2026 will be put to a vote by the district's school board. According to budget records, the proposed amount is $214,105,899, with expenses equal to revenue. A projected shortfall of $7.4 million was closed with the help of cost-cutting initiatives and a tax increase.
A 3.5% increase over the current year is represented by the projected millage rate of 72.17 for the next year. Another factor driving the millage increase is the increase in debt service payments associated with long-term capital projects, such as a proposed new high school. To decide how much property taxes to collect, the school system sets millage rates. For every $1,000 of assessed property value, one mill is worth $1. It is anticipated that mills will earn $120 million in net tax revenue.
The district anticipates receiving $150.7 million in local funding, $59.6 million in state funding, and $3.8 million in federal assistance. Instruction, including pre-K, primary, secondary, vocational, and other educational programming, will cost the district $133.5 million. About $59 million will be spent on support services for kids, employees, administrators, and transportation. Student activities, community service, and loan servicing are additional costs.
The school board will host its meeting at Easton Area School District Educational Center, located at 1801 Bushkill Drive.