Minersville board approves $26.97M tentative budget, resets mills and adopts homestead exclusion

The Minersville Area School District Board of School Directors approved a tentative general fund budget for 2026–27 of $26,968,569 and ordered the budget advertised for 30 days prior to final adoption. The vote came during the board's regular May 27 meeting; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

Board member Albert D. Marazas, speaking during the finance portion of the meeting, introduced the budget motion and the board also approved continuing several local taxes: $5 per capita (School Code), $5 per capita (Act 511), a $5 local services tax, a $200 occupation tax, a 1% realty transfer tax and a 1% earned income tax (split 0.5% school district and 0.5% municipalities). The board set an equalized real estate tax rate of 10.4231 mills for Schuylkill County and established the district's 2026–27 real estate tax rate at 10.6316 mills.

As part of the tax actions, the board voted to implement the homestead/farmstead exclusion effective July 1, 2026. The resolution states: "Be It Resolved that Minersville Area School District implements the homestead‑farmstead exclusion to take resolution effective July 1, 2026. The fiscal 2026 exclusion amount is $278.99 for eligible property owners." The minutes note 2,240 eligible property owners and a total tax reduction of $623,777.35 funded from Pennsylvania gambling revenue.

The board also authorized administration to transfer up to $2,000,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Reserve Fund during the 2025/2026 fiscal‑year close process. The board voted unanimously on the related motions.

Next steps: the district will advertise the tentative budget and accept public inspection and comment during the 30‑day period before final adoption.