Haverford School Board Approves Proposed Final Budget

The Haverford Township Board of School Directors on Thursday night unanimously approved the school district’s 2012-2013 proposed final budget, which includes a 2.73 percent property tax increase.

“Just so the public understands, this is just the proposed final budget,” said School Board President Denis Gray. “It is not the final budget, although it will look very close to it.”

The school board will vote on the final budget at its June 7 board meeting.

The proposed final budget which the school board approved on Thursday night calls for a 2.73 percent property tax increase, and projections of $92.8 million in total revenues, $94.2 million in total expenditures, and an ending fund balance of $1.3 million. 

The budget projections were presented to the board by .

School Board member Russell Bilotta said the proposed property tax increase is “very low” and amounts to $114 in additional taxes per household, per year.

“That comes down to $9.50 a month for those who pay their taxes through their mortgage,” Bilotta said.

The $114 tax increase is based on the township’s average residential property assessment of $161,045.

In commenting on how tax dollars are spent, school board member Joseph Martin referred to the more than 150 high school students who were recognized during the school board meeting for excellence in a variety of competitions, including robotics, science, journalism, music, business and world languages.

“The money is well spent … Our kids come out on top in so many ways … And this is what this money buys,” Martin said.