July 31, 2024
Dear Pike-Delta-York Staff, Families, and Community Members,
The Pike-Delta-York Local Schools Board of Education recently unanimously approved placing the renewal of our current Substitute Levy on the November 5, 2024 ballot. The renewal ballot issue is a 5.31 mill operating levy which is generating just over $1.3 million for the district. This levy is costing homeowners $15.50 per month for a home valued at $100,000 and about $46 per month for a home valued at $300,000.
The main need to continue this levy is to provide financial stability in budgeting for the long-term future. This levy continues to cost residents less money over time as new real estate, residential and commercial, is added to the tax base. When the original Substitute Levy was passed in 2018, it was for 6.71 mills costing a homeowner $17.10 per month for a home valued at $100,000. The original levy collected $1,229,937. Five years later, this levy is for 5.31 mills costing a homeowner $15.50 per month with a value of $100,000. Now it collects $1,347,506. This levy allows for growth while keeping the tax burden at a minimum for homeowners.
This 5.31 mill Substitute Levy is currently funding existing costs and educational programs. Instruction is the #1 factor to quality education. This operating money allows PDY to recruit and retain the highest quality teachers in the area, as well as purchase curriculum items and other educational materials and supplies to maintain the high level of education that PDY Schools are offering.
In addition, PDY Schools have some imminent capital projects on the near horizon. The boilers at the middle school and the roof at the high school will need to be replaced. The failure of this levy would require the need for a Permanent Improvement Levy that will cost taxpayers more than this levy is costing. With uninterrupted funding, the district can continue to budget and accrue interest to put towards these projects, saving taxpayers and stakeholders money.
Should this levy not renew, the district will be compelled to return to the ballot for new funding in the near future. Additionally, residents who qualify for the non-business credit and the owner-occupied credit will lose these benefits if the levy expires. These credits currently save eligible residents up to 12.5% on their tax bill. The nature of this levy is to reduce your tax burden as local real estate grows.
Pike-Delta-York Local Schools is committed to preparing every student for success after graduation, whether they choose to enroll in higher education, enlist in the military, become employed in the growing local industry, or start their own business. We are actively collaborating with local industries to develop workforce development programs that equip our students with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s ever-changing work environment.
The funding from this levy is essential to maintaining the financial stability of our district. Uninterrupted funding allows the district to continue the strong programs we offer in athletics, academics, and the arts. It will enable the district to cover critical maintenance costs in the most economical manner possible.
At Pike-Delta-York Local Schools, we pride ourselves on being transparent, especially when it comes to our district’s finances. Financial information can be found on our district website: pdys.org/finances. We will continue to post updates on our website and Facebook page.
Information about the proposed renewal of this levy can be found at: https://www.pdys.org/page/substitute-levy-information
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any questions or require further information, please reach out to me at jburke@pdys.org. Our Treasurer/CFO position will be transitioning to Leland Hays. He will be available at lhays@pdys.org.
Sincerely,
Jon Burke
Superintendent, Pike-Delta-York Local Schools
Ballot Language Proposed:
Shall a tax levy substituting for an existing levy be imposed by the Pike-Delta-York Local School District for the purpose of providing for the necessary requirements of the school district in the initial sum of $1,347,506, and a levy of taxes be made outside of the ten-mill limitation estimated by the county auditor to require 5.31 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $186 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value for the initial year of the tax, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025, with the sum of such tax to increase only if and as new land or real property improvements not previously taxed by the school district are added to its tax list?