EASD 2011-12 Budget Passes Unanimously

A week before the state deadline, the Easton Area School Board on Thursday passed its 2011-12 budget that includes a tax increase for Northampton County residents and a tax reduction for Riegelsville residents.

The budget, which the board passed unanimously, calls for $132.76 million in spending, a 0.93 percent increase over last year. It leaves a gap of just over $2.11 million, which will be covered by reserve funds, district officials have said.

In the case that Harrisburg restores funds to local schools, the money will be used to cover the shortfall, said EASD Business Manager Marie Guidry.

“We have no idea what they're going to do. They could increase it, or it could remain flat,” Guidry said.

The budget will require a 1.76 percent tax increase, or the maximum allowable by law, in Northampton County. Residents in the Bucks County community of Riegelsville will see a 0.72 percent reduction in school taxes due to an adjustment for a previous increase in Bucks' rates. The tax changes equate to an increase of $46.10 for a property assessed at $50,000 in Northampton County, and a reduction of $58.65 for a $50,000 property in Bucks.

Also to close the gap, originally more than $11 million, and other concessions earlier this year in exchange for a guarantee the district would not cut their jobs.

Though its passage had been on June 16 called specifically to pass it after board members Jennifer Holzberger and Kerri Leonard-Ellison had last-minute questions, the budget passed Thursday evening with little comment from school directors.