BUFFALO TWP — As Freeport Area School District looks to approve its final budget next week, it likely will find itself reaching into its fund balance to close the gap of a $688,340 deficit, according to Bradley Walker, director of finance and operations, who spoke at a school board meeting Wednesday, June 5.

Freeport’s projected budget deficit is lower than that listed in the preliminary budget approved in May, which anticipated a deficit of $880,340, with expenditures of $38,430,880 and revenue of $37,550,540.

The updated final budget had expenditures drop by $17,253 and revenues rise by $209,194.

While it prepares to approve its 2024-25 budget, the district, like many others, also is waiting to hear from the state about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed public school funding allocation, which could bring up to $451,000 into Freeport.

The finalized budget, Walker said, does not account for the funds in its revenue, which have yet to be voted on in the state budget.

The school board also discussed a 6.07 mill increase to Buffalo Township, which would be enacted with a 10.42% tax decrease to Armstrong County residents due to calculations determined by the State Tax Equalization Board, or STEB.

According to its website, the independent board, which operates under the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, determines the “aggregate market value of taxable real property in each political subdivision and school district throughout Pennsylvania.”

“The total market value of Armstrong County has gone down over the years,” he said. “This year it’s so drastic that the growth we’re seeing in Butler County is driving that shift.”

If approved as recommended next Wednesday, the tax increase would equate to $135.30 per year for the average homeowner in Buffalo Township. The average homeowner in Armstrong County would see taxes decrease by $245.86 annually.

The millage increase would be enacted with no local effort increase to real estate tax dollars, Walker said.

“Although nobody wants to keep seeing taxes go up, if we keep going where we’re going, this does eventually impact or hurt our kids,” said Heather Check, a Buffalo Township resident, parent and kindergarten teacher in the district. “The needs of kids are increasing. Supply costs are going up.”

Check shared that she is in her 25th year teaching. As the years have gone by, she said she and other teachers have had to pay for classroom supplies out-of-pocket. Electives and programs that were available when her oldest son, who is 26, was in high school, have been cut or reduced as her youngest son prepares to graduate.

Check also said building repairs and large class sizes are factors with which students have to contend.

“There is a group of people that are not here that (the budget) will impact and that’s our kids,” she said. “I think we need to remember that.”