Saturday, February 22, 2025, 5:17PM |  31°
MENU
Advertisement

McKeesport Area school board approves budget, increases taxes

McKeesport Area school board approves budget, increases taxes

School directors in McKeesport Area School District voted 5-4 to approve a $62.4 million budget for the new fiscal year, including a 0.48-mill property tax increase that brings the millage to 15.7.

The average property owner in McKeesport will see a $25 to $30 increase in school taxes as a result.

Board members Scott Smith, Christopher Halaszynski, Steven Kondrosky and Joseph Lopretto voted against the budget.

Advertisement

During an hour-long discussion before the vote, Mr. Lopretto said he did not want to see increased taxes. “A lot of people are on fixed incomes,” he said.

Mr. Halaszynski also noted the tax increase. “There are a lot of people in this district that can’t afford an extra $30," he said.

"I know there is necessity to raise taxes, but I’m not supporting it," he said.

But board member Thomas Maglicco cautioned: “Our fund balance is running out. When it’s out, we will have to furlough more teachers and cut programs." He voted in favor of the budget.

Advertisement

Board member Trisha Gadson, who also supported the budget said before her vote: “If we don’t have a strong enough education in this district, then our community falls.”

The board also voted at the meeting to furlough three teachers, including an auto mechanics teacher at the high school, a family and consumer science teacher at Founders Hall Middle School and an art teacher. A fourth teacher would have been furloughed, but chose to resign. Mr. Halaszynski and Mr. Kondrosky voted against the furloughs.

First Published: June 26, 2014, 4:00 a.m.
Updated: June 26, 2014, 4:41 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
1
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
2
business
How much can retirees safely withdraw from their nest eggs? Financial experts weigh in.
Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III, left, celebrates with teammate George Pickens after scoring a 23-yard touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter in the game at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024.
3
sports
Steelers position analysis: Is there a path forward at wide receiver with George Pickens?
Preston Coleman, 52, was beaten and strangled inside an Aliquippa VFW on Jan. 5, 2025, in what police described as a vicious, unprovoked attack.
4
news
Bartender working at Aliquippa VFW during beating that left man unconscious facing charges
The Linden Street Tunnel in Duquesne on the Steel Valley Trail is a segment of the Great American Passage (GAP). The trail group wants to paint a mural on the graffiti-plagued tunnel.
5
local
Military 'Ghost Bomber' that landed in the Mon River in 1956 might be depicted in proposed mural
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story