Tax proposal voted down
Slippery Rock School District residents voted down a referendum that would have increased the district’s property tax rate.
The referendum on Tuesday’s ballot asked voters if they wanted the district to take on $38.5 million in debt and to increase taxes to renovate the high school and Moraine Elementary School.
In the 11 municipalities that the district covers, 4,819 people voted against the measure while 2,867 people voted for it.
The district can put the referendum on another ballot after 155 days.
School board member Kirby Lotz, who is on the board’s operations committee, could not be reached for comment about the vote.
The referendum vote was necessary due to Act 1 of 2006, which limits the amount that school districts can raise their property tax millage rates. Taxes can be raised above the limit if the district seeks exceptions or if it gets approval from its residents.
The high school was built in 1957 and was renovated in 1992 and 2005. Moraine was built in 1962 and expanded in 1991.
Work on the high school, which would include adding air conditioning, installing sprinklers, improving site circulation, adding a new secure entrance, correcting accessibility issues, renovating the auditorium and stage, and reconstructing the cafeteria, kitchen and other classroom areas, is projected to cost $30 million.
It is possible the state could reimburse $6.7 million.
Work on Moraine, which would include adding a new roof, replacing the heating and air conditioning system, adding a new secure entrance, addressing sewer and water issues, renovating classrooms in the original part of the building, replacing the gym bleachers and flooring, and making accessibility improvements, is projected to cost $8.5 million.
It is possible the state could reimburse $4.14 million.
To pay for the project, the district would have to increase its property tax rate by 11.5 to 12 mills. The district’s current tax rate is 89.15 mills.
A mill generates $1 in tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. The millage increase only would have taken effect when the money was needed.
The district covers Brady, Franklin, Mercer, Muddy Creek, Slippery Rock and Worth townships, and Harrisville, Portersville, Prospect, Slippery Rock and West Liberty.
