The New Hope-Solebury School Board approved a 2% property tax increase when it adopted the final budget for the district’s 2023-24 fiscal year.
The total expenditure budget is $48,447,416, which is being funded by revenue of $48,044,610, the 2% tax increase included. Balancing the budget required using $402,806 of the district’s fund balance.
“To not be for this 2% increase would be categorically short-sighted,” said board member John Augenblick, who also chairs the finance committee. “It better equips the district for next year when the expenses go up more than 2%.”
The 2023-24 millage rate would be 111.4187 (or $11.14187 of each $100 of assessed valuation of taxable property). The Homestead/Farmstead exclusion in assessed value is $2,716 with a tax reduction of $302.65.
In other business during the June 22 meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rose Minniti reported on recent events and accomplishments such as naming New Hope Hall of Fame’s two newest members, Laurie Palau and Mike Finley. She also congratulated the middle school choir for earning third place in the Music in the Parks Festival at Lebanon Valley College, noting, also, the Upper Elementary School Orchestra earned first place.
In the PIAA State Championships at Shippensburg University, the Lions’ track and field team performed well with sophomore Naava Richlin, placing 11th in the 800 with a time just .3 seconds off the school record.
District nominee Lila Graney will attend the Hugh O’ Brian Youth (HOBY) PA East Leadership Conference at Loyola University in Chicago. Out of 133 students, Lila was one of two to receive a scholarship to the HOBY World Leadership Congress.
Board member Montu Patel congratulated the 2023 MBIT graduating class and saluted its achievements, encouraging colleagues to review them on the MBIT website.
“You will be just floored at what our students have accomplished,” he said.
Board President Mrs. Judy Finn agreed, adding, “the graduation was pretty incredible. We have students continuing with their own businesses, students going to Princeton, (and) students going into the Marines. We’ll miss a lot of those seniors. They are an impressive group.”
The board approved a $313,960 contribution to the MBIT, New Hope-Solebury’s portion of the approximately $9.3 million total MBIT budget.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
