Mount Pleasant Area SD adopts $39.0 million budget with 1‑mill tax increase

Mount Pleasant Area School District trustees approved the final 2025–26 budget during their June 25 regular meeting, adopting a spending plan with $39,217,931 in total revenue, $39,000,686 in total expenses and a budgeted deficit of $468,852. The board approved the final‑budget resolution on a roll call vote, 4–3.

The budget includes a 1 mill tax increase and a proposed millage rate of 94.82 mills. Board secretary James Deritsa presented the figures, saying, "Tonight's budget has total revenue of 39,217,931, total expenses of 39,000,686 ... It has a 1 mill tax increase in it, and the deficit is 468,852." Deritsa also described several revenue uncertainties tied to state action and grants.

Why it matters: the budget sets local tax rates and spending priorities for the coming school year and affects homeowners' property‑tax bills. Deritsa told the board that at the district's median assessed value of $16,930, the total tax bill would be about $1,614 — an increase of just under $17 from the 1 mill change — while a separate property tax relief allocation would increase by about $41, producing a stated net effect for that median taxpayer of a roughly $24.07 reduction.

Major budget details noted by Deritsa: - Total assessed property value: $166,791,650. - Proposed millage: 94.82 mills (a 1‑mill increase). - Budgeted deficit: $468,852; projected fund balance after the deficit: about 11.73% of budgeted expenses. - Notable cost increases: health insurance (+$294,000) and cyber charter tuition (up about $240,000). - Capital and equipment items included: classroom furniture ($25,000), technology replacement ($150,000), and financing for a maintenance truck and tractor (roughly $40,000 in this budget year). A debt service payment of about $300,000 is included if borrowing occurs.

Deritsa flagged revenue uncertainties: state basic‑education and special‑education subsidies (pending the state budget), potential PCCD grant awards, and the lack of confirmation on cyber‑charter reimbursement reforms. He noted that if the state implemented a proposed charter tuition cap at $8,000 per student, it could provide a large savings to the district, but he described that outcome as "probably very unlikely." He also said Title allocations for 2025–26 declined by $28,279 from the prior year.

Final action: the board moved and seconded the final budget resolution (motion moved by Mister Reibel; seconded by Mister Coppula), and the roll call recorded four yes votes and three no votes, after which the chair declared the motion passed.