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KINGSTON Property taxes are going up 2.5% in the Wyoming Valley West School District, according to the 2023-24 budget adopted Friday by the school board.
School officials say the tax hike is necessary to help fund improvements to the districts aging buildings. The property tax rate will increase from 18.03 mills to 18.4807 mills. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
The 2023-24 budget allocates nearly $105.5 million in expenditures and the same amount in revenue, with nearly
$40.3 million from local sources, nearly $43.5 million from state sources and $21.7 from federal sources.
The budget includes
$16.6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The district will spend $14 million in COVID-19 funds on building projects expected to cost $17.5 million, board member Paul Keating said, noting the COVID-19 funds saved the district. Most of the building project costs involve improvements to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Also during Fridays meeting:
The board modified the student dress code, which will now allow shirts without collars that are school appropriate and are not revealing, distracting, controversial or pose a safety threat. Hoodies and cargo pants/shorts with multiple pockets will not be allowed.
The board hired Chris Gegaris and Michael Pozzessere as assistant principals, each with an annual salary of $70,000.
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