CLAYSBURG — In a 7-2 vote, Claysburg-Kimmel School Board members agreed to raise taxes to the Act 1 Index of 5.1% to help offset a $1.4 million deficit presented in the 2026-27 preliminary budget.

The proposed tax increase will bring in $191,506, increasing the millage rate in Kimmel Township, Bedford County, to 12.77 and the rate in Greenfield Township, Blair County, to 10.05.

All board members voted for the tax increase except board Vice President Amy Claar-Gill and Danny Potter.

To cover the remaining deficit, Brannan Raptosh, assistant to the superintendent, said the district will take from its fund balance and search for grants.

Because the district uses multi-county balancing for tax distribution, business manager Dena Burket said that the millage rates are deceiving, as the state tax equalization board, known as STEB, is used to create the same tax burden for both townships.

“STEB balances the tax burden, so although the numbers look different, there’s an equalizer, a multiplier, that levels the playing fields so the tax burden is equal,” Raptosh said.

Board members did not discuss the proposed tax hike Wednesday, as many supported raising taxes to the index at an April 15 meeting.

After the meeting, Potter said he’s on the school board to represent his community, as many are on a fixed income. He mentioned those worries at the April 15 meeting when he favored a 2% or 3% increase instead.

“I’m concerned about their needs,” he said.

The district’s preliminary budget lists expenditures of $17.1 million and revenue of $15.7 million. The proposed budget also includes adding another secondary math teacher for the high school.

Burket said the proposed budget will be on display for 30 days and is available on the district website as well as inside the office.

The board is expected to adopt the final budget during their June 10 meeting.

The district is required by the state to approve its final budget by June 30.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.