UTHS board asks for tax increase

A change in membership didn't change the United Township School Board's opinion on a tax rate increase.

One of the solutions to the district's money problems, as determined by the United Township Financial Task Force, was getting voters to approve a higher education fund tax rate.

The new board with two newly-seated members -- Susan Koska and Harry Arvanis -- voted unanimously to support an education fund tax rate increase of at least $1.25 per $100 assessed property value.

If approved by voters, that would mean an overall tax rate of $2.32 per $100 equalized assessed valuation. On a $90,000 home, without exemptions factored in, that would translate to a tax increase of $99, to $696 annually.

The tax rate hasn't changed since the 1950s, superintendent Barbara Suelter said.

The district has had a deficit in the education fund for the past few years, and it is projected to be around $750,000 for the 2005-06 school year.