Schools

North Hills School Board Approves New Budget

The new budget lowers the property tax bill for Ross and West View homeowners.

The North Hills School Board of Education Monday approved the district’s 2013-14 budget.

The final budget totaling $69,747,422 lowers the property tax millage rate by nearly 20 percent.

North Hills’ spending plan for next school year contains a 4.2-mill decrease from 21.26 mills to 17.06 mills. This decrease stems directly from new property assessment numbers determined by Allegheny County that showed increased property values in North Hills School District, according to a statement from the district.

The millage rate, which is within the state’s Act 1 index for North Hills School District, will lower taxes on the median home in North Hills School District. The new median home value in North Hill School District following property reassessments is $135,000, a rise from $109,000. The median home property tax bill will decrease $14 from last year’s median home property tax bill.

“We continue to work diligently to limit the growth of our annual operating expenses in order to minimize the impact on our local taxpayers,” said North Hills School District’s Director of Finance and Operations David Hall.

Among the nine northern area school districts, North Hills boasts the lowest millage rate based upon each district’s approved proposed final budget.

Next year's budget increases spending by 1.6 percent.

The district will save $316,000 next year due to the elimination of six district school buses and implementation of new arrival and dismissal times at all district buildings.

North Hills also will enhance security and special education programs and implement new technology resources at all district buildings.

On the secondary schools campus, wireless and networking infrastructure upgrades totaling $164,150 will improve connectivity and support new devices and current technology utilized by students and staff.

A total of 92 iPads and 52 laptops will be purchased for district libraries at a cost of $71,600. At the high school and junior high school, 478 new laptops totaling $420,850 will replace outdated devices purchased under the Classrooms for the Future grant seven years ago. These computers will be utilized in secondary English, art and science classrooms.

A total of $50,000 is budgeted for security enhancements on the secondary schools campus and West View Elementary.

The district’s first autism spectrum support classroom will be housed at Ross Elementary. This classroom will join the continuum of special education services the district provides for its special needs students. The classroom will be structured to meet the needs of students on the autism spectrum, who are in need of extensive sensory, communication, behavioral and social interaction support. 

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