NBC District Looking at Tax Increase for 2024 Budget

Northern Bedford County School District Superintendent Todd Beatty stated that while the district is looking at a 3.65% tax increase with a millage of 9.62% Northern Bedford still has the lowest millage rate but the highest median income of any district in the county.

A preliminary budget for 2024/25 with revenues of $15,706,835 and expenditures of $16,480,332 leaving a deficit of -$773,497 was approved by the school board. This represents a difference of $40,000 from last year’s budget.

Beatty said the 3.65% tax increase was half of the allowable tax hike under Act I of 7.3%. This would represent a $45.56 increase per year to the median household.

Those eligible for the Homestead/Farmstead exemption would get back $250.85. There is currently a budgetary reserve of $300,000 in the district.

Beatty said Cyber/Charter school costs for 22 students for 2024/25 would be $354,639.

“NBC must continue to increase taxes at a moderate level as the state legislature has continued to take no action on cyber school finance reform,” he said.

In addition, they have level funded special education funding for over 14 years. NBC’s 2024-25 budgeted cost in these two areas is over $750,000.

In addition, the cost of everything has been increasing by 10-15% each year for the past four years.

Beatty urged concerns for these two areas to be directed to Representative Topper and Senator Stefano’s office. The state has not yet passed their budget so the district is uncertain exactly what it will receive in funding from the state.

Commencement ceremonies for 64 graduating seniors will be held Thursday , May 30 at 7 p.m. at the Panther Community Stadium.

A Baccalaureate service will be held on Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. Vo-tech senior recognition will take place on Tuesday, May 21 at Everett High School. Ten NBC seniors will be recognized during the event.

Drive Your Tractor to School Day was a great success as there were numerous participants from the high school and middle school. Tractors ranged from newer several hundred thousand dollar John Deere models to smaller antique Minneapolis Molines.

Approval was given for the resignations of Lauren Eckenroad as head junior high school volleyball coach and Emma Eckenroad as asst. coach.

The board approved the hiring of Betsy Francke as head junior high volleyball coach at $1,250, Deidra Mellott as asst. junior high volleyball coach at $1,000.

Jesse Love was approved as assistant boys’ varsity basketball coach at $2,300 and Joey Smith as assistant junior high boys’ basketball coach at $1,250.

An agreement with CES Engineering was approved to conduct a needs assessment for the elementary window replacement and elementary water/sewage line in conjunction with the Pa.

Public Facility Grant in the amount of $1,000 to be paid from the General Fund within budgeted items. Approval was also given for sealing of the lower roof of the Career and Technical building with a 20 year warranty in the amount of $17,417 by RJ Seamless Roof Systems and replacement of the high school domestic water pump and two valves by Mervac Plumbing and Heating Inc. at a cost of $5,455.

Grade 5 students attended the county career day at the Bedford County Airport on May 2. There were over 15 county businesses represented at the event.

Junior Savannah Harshberger stood out as the top track and field performer, winning the 1600 meter run in both the West Central Coaches meet and the ICC Championship meet.

The June board meeting will be moved to June 18 in Room 136 of the high school at 6:00p.m. The final 2024/25 budget will be adopted at this meeting.