Peters Township School Board Previews Budget

The Peters Township School Board previewed their 2021-2022 Preliminary Budget on Monday evening. Board Director Dr. Jamison Hardy chaired the meeting that directed the board through the details of the budget that calls for a .42 mil hike in taxes. The proposed budget is for $74,797,000. That is an increase of $3.5 million dollars from the year prior. The largest cost drivers over the previous year’s budget are staff/pension, $1.3 million and debt service, $1.9 million. Currently the proposed budget is showing a $2.7 million deficit that will most likely be made up through reserves. Expenditures per student in the district are among the lowest in Washington County and are the lowest when compared to Allegheny County peer districts. The district states that their return on investment in Washington County and among Allegheny County peer districts is the highest. Superintendent Dr. Jeannine French gives credit to the Board of Directors for not chasing shiny objects or the flashiest new programs but investment into staff and proven educational programs. The proposed budget will be adopted at the next regular school board meeting. At the end of the meeting, Dr. Jamison Hardy announced his resignation from the board effective January 19. He will be relocating to Michigan because of employment obligations.