Phillipsburg sending districts won't feel effect of tax levy increaseFriday, March 26, 2010By SARAH M. WOJCIK The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | Last year's
townwide property revaluation may have saved Phillipsburg
School District residents from a school tax hike, but it
will not affect sending district residents, according to
the school business administrator.
William Bauer said the five sending districts whose students attend Phillipsburg High School pay a tuition fee per pupil. The Phillipsburg School District's proposed 2010-11 budget keeps the tuition charge flat at $11,025, Bauer said. That revaluation increased the town's tax base from about $559 million to about $984 million, Bauer said, giving the district more money to work with. Thursday's finalized budget brought the school property tax rate in Phillipsburg down from $1.28 to 88 cents per $100 of assessed value. But because the revaluation increased the assessment on most properties, town residents' school taxes will remain largely unchanged from 2009-10. The $51 million budget proposes an increase in tax revenue of about 20 percent. The sending districts -- Alpha, Bloomsbury and Lopatcong, Pohatcong, and Greenwich townships -- did not conduct reassessments. Residents of those districts would pay more in school taxes only if their number of students headed to high school increases, Bauer said. Tuition is included in each district's budget. Reporter Sarah M. Wojcik can be reached at 610-258-7171, ext. 3631, or swojcik@express-times.com. Talk about issues in your town at lehighvalleylive.com/forums. ©2010 The Express-Times |