Future Challenges
• Assessment value reductions due to Allegheny County assessment appeals
• PSERS contributions continue to be a challenge for school districts in Pennsylvania.
■ The employer contribution rate is set by PSERS trustees, not by the district.
■ The district anticipates paying more than $ 44 million in PSERS contributions during the next five years.
• Projected multiphase capital projects plan
■ Projects address repair, replacement, and upgrades of equipment and infrastructure of aging district facilities.
Gaming Funds Distribution
The Pennsylvania Department of Education will provide the Fox Chapel Area School District with $ 2,562,436 in gaming funds.
Estimated Real Estate Tax Liability
Rate Per $ 100,000 2025-2026 2026-2027 Assessed Value $ 100,000 $ 100,000 Tax Rate 22.0076 22.6898 Tax Bill $ 2,200.76 $ 2,268.98 Homestead Exclusion- $ 326.17- $ 328.00 Net Tax Bill $ 1,874.59 $ 1,940.98 Yearly Increase $ 66.39 Monthly Increase $ 5.53
The method of distributing the gaming 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 approved by Allegheny County as a homestead will have the lesser of its taxable value, or an estimated $ 14,456, excluded for calculating school district real estate taxes for the 2026 tax year. Based on the final budget, the owners of the 7,812 properties in the district that qualified for the homestead exclusion will receive a $ 328 reduction on their property taxes. Property owners who do not have an approved homestead exclusion will have the opportunity to apply again when the district mails letters to those homeowners in December 2026.
Information on the budget is available on the district’ s website at www. fcasd. edu.
Facilities Update ox Chapel Area
FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS
Median Assessment 2025-2026 2026-2027 Assessed Value $ 233,700 $ 233,700 Tax Rate 22.0076 22.6898 Tax Bill $ 5,143.18 $ 5,302.61 Homestead Exclusion- $ 326.17- $ 328.00 Net Tax Bill $ 4,817.01 $ 4,974.60 Yearly Increase $ 157.60 Monthly Increase $ 13.13
• These amounts can be reduced by 2 % if paid in full during the discount period.
• Eligible older adults and people with disabilities ages 18 and older may qualify for Pennsylvania, s Property Tax / Rent Rebate Program. For more information, please visit www. pa. gov / agencies / revenue / ptrr.
A number of facilities improvements were recently completed, and others are underway, in the Fox Chapel Area School District.
• New playground equipment and soft surface at Hartwood and Fairview elementary schools
• New windows and window treatments at Fairview Elementary
• Major mechanical renovation at Hartwood Elementary
Projects being completed or under consideration include:
• Installation of new tennis courts at Fox Chapel Area High School
• Major mechanical renovation at the high school
• Lighting at the high school stadium
FOX CHAPEL AREA | SUMMER 2026 13