The North Hills School Board approved a near-maximum property tax increase with the district’s budget for the 2026-27 school year.
The board voted 8-0 to approve the $101.6 million budget and property tax rate at its June 4 meeting. Board member Anthony Hall was absent.
The budget was unchanged from the proposed final budget that the board approved in late April. The district’s spending is increasing by 1.5%.
The property tax rate is increasing by 0.85 mills, from 20.37 mills to 21.22 mills. That’s an increase of about 4.17%, just under the district’s state-imposed 4.2% inflation limit.
For a home in Ross at the median assessed value of $134,600, the annual school district tax bill will increase by about $114, from about $2,742 to $2,856.
In West View, where the median assessed value is $98,200, the school district tax bill will increase by about $83, from about $2,000 to $2,084.
According to the district, the tax increase will generate about $2.5 million in additional revenue, which will close a deficit caused by the loss of one-time revenues that were used to balance the previous year’s budget, along with continued pressure from rising mandated costs and a declining commercial tax base.
The budget has no furloughs, cuts to educational programs or increases in class sizes, the district said.
The board also approved the district’s homestead exclusion for the 2026-27 school year. Eligible homeowners will get a tax reduction of about $227.
New contract approved for support personnel
The North Hills School Board has approved a new five-year contract with the district’s Educational Support Personnel Association.
The union represents about 100 support positions including secretaries and clerks, computer technicians, support nurses and certified and non-certified paraprofessionals.
“I’m pleased to announce that we were able to come to an amicable contract renewal agreement with ESPA,” board President Allison Mathis said. “These employees are often the voice answering the phone, the reassuring presence helping a struggling student, the person solving a computer tech issue before it becomes a disruption, or the LPN caring for a child. They build relationships with students, teachers and administrators, and create schools where children feel safe, cared for, and able to learn.”
The district and union had been in talks since last fall.
The board approved the contract at its June 4 meeting, two days after union members accepted it. The new contract, which is available online, will be in effect from July 1 through June 30, 2031.
The new agreement includes annual wage increases based on newly established staff tiers structured around years of service. Employees will get more paid time off with more vacation time and paid holidays.
According to the district, the initial cost to the district is about 10% in payroll increases, climbing about 3.5% annually.