Tyrone Area School District’s preliminary budget to raise taxes
Board approves 5.6% increase in millage
TYRONE — By a unanimous vote, the Tyrone Area School Board approved the preliminary 2025-26 general fund budget Tuesday with a 5.6% increase in millage to the Act 1 Index.
The district is faced with a $1,807,365 budget deficit, with projected revenues set at $29,421,285 and expenditures at $31,228,650, according to business administrator Faith Swanson.
By raising taxes to the Act 1 Index, which is used to determine the maximum tax increase a school district can impose, Tyrone Area will generate about $382,073 in additional real estate tax revenue, Swanson said.
The district’s beginning general fund balance for July 1 is projected to be $9,832,527.
Swanson said increased wages, medical and charter school costs are the three biggest items in the budget.
Health insurance costs, which normally increase at about 4%, rose 12% this year, Swanson said, noting the increase in costs is about $430,000 over the 2024-25 budget.
Charter school costs also increased $420,000 over last year’s budget, she said.
“In general, everything is increasing and we’re very unsure of tariffs on our technology purchases,” Swanson said. “We budgeted it a little higher because we are replacing four grade levels of Chromebooks.”
Because Tyrone Area is a multi-county district, there are different millage rates for Blair, Centre and Huntingdon counties, Swanson said, noting Centre is the only county that will actually raise to the Act 1 Index this year.
With the proposed tax increase, based on a property with an assessed value of $100,000, Blair’s tax millage rate would be set at 8.18 mills, an increase of $48.22; Centre’s tax millage rate would be set at 31.16 mills, an increase of $14.66; and Huntingdon’s tax millage rate would be set at 54.39, an increase of $22.32.
All board members were present during the meeting Tuesday. Board treasurer Cathy Harlow was the sole member who expressed concerns about the budget. Before casting her vote of approval, Harlow asked the district’s administration to continue to look for potential cuts in the budget, especially in personnel.
“So I will be a vote yes with that caveat,” Harlow said.
Throughout May and June, Swanson said there will be reductions and revisions to the proposed budget. The budget will remain on public display at the district’s administrative office for 20 days prior to adoption at the June 10 meeting.
If the board doesn’t adopt the 2025-26 general fund budget at that meeting, the state requires the district to pass its budget before June 30.
Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.