Gaming Funds Distribution
On May 1, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Education provided the Fox Chapel Area School District with the amount of the district’ s share of gaming funds available for distribution. The final budget includes a distribution of $ 2,552,188. The method of distributing these funds, as prescribed by Act 1, the Taxpayer Relief Act, will be via the implementation of the homestead exclusion. Under this provision, any property in the school district that was approved by Allegheny County as a homestead will have the lesser of its taxable value, or an estimated $ 14,821 of its taxable value, excluded for the purpose of calculating school district real estate taxes for the 2025 tax year. Based on the final budget, the
Estimated Real Estate Tax Liability
Without Homestead Exclusion owners of the 7,843 * properties in the district that qualified for the homestead exclusion will receive the equivalent of a $ 326.17 reduction in their property taxes. This is an increase of $ 35.22 over the previous year’ s reduction.
Property owners who currently do not have an approved homestead exclusion will have the opportunity to apply again when the district sends out letters to eligible homeowners in December 2025.
* Allegheny County has certified that there are 7,843 approved homestead properties in the district. If that number is adjusted by the county to include fewer or more properties, it could affect the amount of the final reduction.
With Homestead Exclusion
Without Homestead Exclusion
With Homestead Exclusion
2024 Assessed Value $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 2024 Homestead Exclusion *- $ 13,524.44- $ 13,524.44
2024 Net Assessed Value $ 50,000 $ 36,475.56 $ 100,000 $ 86,475.56 2024 Millage Rate 21.5128 21.5128 21.5128 21.5128 2024 Tax Liability $ 1,075.64 $ 784.69 $ 2,151.28 $ 1,860.33
2025 Assessed Value $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 2025 Homestead Exclusion *- $ 14,821- $ 14,821
2025 Net Assessed Value $ 50,000 $ 35,179 $ 100,000 $ 85,179 2025 Millage Rate 22.0076 22.0076 22.0076 22.0076 2025 Tax Liability $ 1,100.38 $ 774.21 $ 2,200.76 $ 1,874.59
Fox Chapel Area FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS
Annual Increase / Decrease $ 24.74- $ 10.48 $ 49.48 $ 14.26 % Increase / Decrease 2.30 %-1.34 % 2.30 % 0.77 %
Monthly Increase $ 2.06- $ 0.87 $ 4.12 $ 1.19
* The homestead exclusion amount is more this year due to an increase in the allocation of state funds. More information about the homestead exclusion can be found on the state’ s Department of Community & Economic Development website.
• These amounts can be reduced by 2 % if paid in full during the discount period.
• Senior citizens may qualify for a property tax rebate program through the state.
Future Challenges
• Assessment value reductions due to Allegheny County assessment appeals o For the first time in 10 years, the district’ s total taxable assessment values have decreased from the previous year, resulting in a decrease of real estate tax revenue of approximately $ 250,000
• PSERS contributions continue to be a challenge for school districts in Pennsylvania o The employer contribution rate is set by PSERS trustees, not by the district o The district anticipates paying more than $ 47 million in PSERS contributions during the next five years
• Projected multiphase capital projects plan o Projects address repair, replacement, and upgrades of equipment and infrastructure of aging district facilities
■ The current phase includes updates to the Hartwood Elementary HVAC system and interior lighting, windows at Fairview Elementary, and upgrades to the tennis courts at Fox Chapel Area High School o The current version of the plan includes an outstanding projected total cost of more than $ 30 million spread over 10 years
■ The district plans to utilize available funds assigned for capital expenses in both the General Fund fund balance and external Capital Reserves Fund
■ The district is looking into additional alternative funding opportunities, including grants, as well as possibly increasing the district’ s debt service profile
Additional information about the 2025-2026 final budget can be found at www. fcasd. edu / about-us / budget.
FOX CHAPEL AREA | SUMMER 2025 11