JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley School Board approved the proposed 2019-20 budget at Monday night's meeting.

The budget totals $140,488,755, with a millage increase of 2.89, and was authorized to be made available for public inspection.

“The good news for the budget is we're not taking on any new debt,” said school board Vice President Eric DiTullio. “The other thing that surprises me was the fact that we made some changes to the health care and were able to reduce the rates of health care.”

DiTullio said the property tax rate will increase because of expansion in Cranberry, Jackson, Lancaster and Forward townships.

“Since we have an enrollment increase, which accounts for the increase of the mill, we need more staff, more teachers,” he said. “It costs more to take care of these things.”

The budget passed in a unanimous vote, except for President Jim Nickel who was absent from the meeting.

DiTullio said he's noticed “optimism” around what the state budget is going to be “for the first time in a long time.”

“It's not just getting it done,” he said, “but there seems to be some excitement.”

DiTullio said board member Fred Peterson would likely elaborate on those legislative and budgetary items next week.