North East PA Online

For North East Township and North East Borough

Meeting agendas for upcoming meetings:
NE Twp Supervisors meeting 5-18-26
NE Borough Council meeting 5-18-26

NESD Wants Another 3.48 Percent School Tax Increase – After Five Years of Increases

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NESD budget tax increase
26-27 NESD budget tax increase

This has got to stop. After raising taxes for the five previous years, the school district wants to raise them again for the sixth consecutive year, this time 3.48 percent. The NE School District is living in a bubble and seems unaware, or doesn’t care, that the NE community is having a very difficult time. Perhaps the Refresco notice that many of our grape farmers will not be paid for their grapes this year isn’t the school district’s concern, but it certainly should be.

Perhaps they are not aware that Fort LeBoeuf is considering consolidation of several schools within their district, recognizing that school enrollment is declining. North East has been losing students, too, but what adjustments are being made?

Warren County has the same problem and is facing the problem head on, but not North East.

Will the school board demand answers to the obvious question?

What is the North East School District doing now to adjust to the continuing decline in enrollment. The district will have an overabundance of underutilized facilities at great cost to the taxpayers unless something changes, and soon.

Meeting Agenda item B-10

VOTE NO Do not approve this item:
10. It is recommended that the Board approve the 2026-2027 Proposed Final Budget for the North East School District in the amount of $32,139,494. Be it further resolved that the North East School District proposes levying a tax of 17.13 mills per dollar of market value on real estate (3.48% increase from 2025-26), and under Act 511 of 1965, a one percent earned income tax (school district share .5%), and a one percent real estate transfer tax (school district share .5%) under the same Act 511

If there has ever been a time for the school board to take a firm stand, this is the year to do it. The board represents residents and taxpayers, NOT the school district. The board’s purpose is to keep the school administration in check. The board must tell the school administration that this budget and tax increase is unacceptable. No tax increase is acceptable. Now it’s up to the board.

Total compounded tax increase:
For the five previous years, the compound increase totals 16.49 percent
If taxes increase 3.48 percent for the next year, the total compound increase will be 21.95 percent.

Agenda for the NE School Board meeting 4-23-26
NE School Board backup documents 4-23-26 including budget presentation

Filed Under: North East School District Tagged With: , , ,



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