Dear Parents, Staff and Community,
As we approach the upcoming School Board meeting on Tuesday, February 18, we want to ensure our community has clear and accurate information regarding the Middle School Feasibility Study and tax impact.
What’s on the Agenda?
The Board will be voting on whether to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for design services to explore a potential middle school replacement. This is the first step in a long-term process that will require at least two additional Board votes before any final decisions are made.
Understanding the Tax Impact
We recognize there are questions about how this project would affect community taxpayers. Some misleading information has been shared, suggesting that homeowners will face extreme tax increases to fund the project. That is not the case.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The district already allocates a portion of tax revenue to debt service. As older debt is paid off and refinanced, new debt for this project will be incorporated in a way that limits additional financial impact.
- The estimated impact of the middle school project is an additional $42 per year, each year to the portion of a homeowner’s tax bill allocated to debt service, phased in over nine years. This increase is accounted for within the district’s long-term financial planning and remains within the overall tax structure, which has historically stayed below the Act 1 Index.
- Overall school taxes will continue to rise over time to address inflation, operational costs, and wage increases, as they always have. However, the district has maintained an average annual tax increase of 2.8% over the past 20 years—below the state’s Act 1 Index—while still funding debt service within that amount. This responsible financial approach will continue as the district manages future obligations.
Some claims circulating in the community have overstated the impact by assuming the entire cost of the project would need to be raised through new taxes alone. However, this ignores key financial planning strategies such as refinancing existing bonds and spreading costs over a long-term repayment period.
Board’s Unprecedented Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility
Recognizing the importance of thoughtful financial planning, the Board has taken an extraordinary step by passing a formal resolution committing not to raise taxes beyond the Act 1 Index this year. This is the first time a UCF Board has taken this action and underscores their dedication to working within our means while ensuring responsible stewardship of district resources.
For context, the Act 1 Index is a state-mandated limit that caps how much school districts can raise property taxes each year without seeking voter approval or state exceptions. It is calculated annually by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is based on a statewide average of wage growth and school cost factors, ensuring tax increases remain in line with economic conditions. Historically, our district has maintained tax increases below this cap while continuing to meet financial obligations, including debt service.
This commitment reflects the Board’s confidence in a carefully structured financial plan that will allow the district to continue investing in its long-term facilities strategy without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.
Independent Financial Review
To ensure a thorough and professional financial analysis, the Board engaged two of the nation’s top experts in municipal finance: PFM, the leading bond advisor in the country, and Stifel, the top bond underwriter in the K-12 market.
Together, these firms have provided expert guidance to the district, helping to structure debt in a financially responsible and sustainable way. With unmatched experience in K-12 school financing, their analysis ensures that our financial approach is both sound and strategic.
A Thoughtful, Community-Driven Process
This project has been in discussion for over a year and has been shaped by:
- Stakeholder representation in feasibility study committees
- Public forums, surveys, and community conversations
- Ongoing opportunities for feedback and public comment
We invite you to visit the Middle School Feasibility Study Microsite, where you’ll find details on the feasibility study, project costs, key reasons for moving forward, and a comprehensive FAQ.
We remain committed to transparency and informed decision-making as we continue this process. Thank you for your engagement and support in shaping the future of our schools.
Respectfully,
John Sanville
Superintendent
