Amid multiple expressions of regret, the Upper Perkiomen School board voted last week to approve a final budget for the upcoming school year which calls for a 3.67 percent tax increase in the 2023-24 budget that totals $73.561 million.

            The median property owner in Montgomery County would pay an additional $151.42. In Berks County, that figure is $116.13. The board also approved a Homestead/Farmstead exemption that allows qualifying property owners in both counties to save $241.09.

            Member Reann Hofkin cast the lone vote opposing the increase and three members signified a degree of displeasure with their own decisions to approve the final budget during a roll call vote at the June 15 regular meeting.

            Board President Melanie Cunningham, who also serves as the finance committee chair, cast her vote as "sadly, yes." Keith McCarrick, also a member of the finance committee, cast his yes vote "with regrets." Mike Elliot sighed before voting affirmatively.

            The size of the proposed tax hike is necessary to cover the new contract with the Upper Perkiomen Education Association as well as the increased costs of goods and services, increases in budgets to support students and no reductions or cuts to any programs, according to information provided previously by district spokesperson Alexis Jenofsky.

            Dan Direso, the district's former business administrator, estimated that a 2.34 percent tax increase is needed to cover the new contract with the teachers union.

            The board decided to accept Direso's recommendation for a tax hike. In April, he proposed a 3.67 percent tax increase, which equates to a 4 percent millage increase, as a balance that allows the district to cover its increased instructional expenses while minimizing the need to utilize fund balance to cover a projected $1.645 million deficit.

            In May, after voting to approve the proposed final budget, several members intimated that the tax rate could be reduced. At the time, McCarrick described the rate as still fluid. He added that the members could reduce the figure "if we want to. It's just a matter of how we look at it."

            Hofkin, who cast the lone vote opposing the measure last month, declined to answer a question about her decision. Instead, in a text message, she wrote that the members have 30 days to "tighten up" the budget.  "We couldn't find any wiggle room," Cunningham wrote in an email message received Monday.

            In personnel news, the members approved five appointments of professional staff for the upcoming school year. That includes the hiring of Emily Calaman, a middle school library/media specialist, and Sydney Bachert as a middle school math teacher.

            Additionally, they voted to appoint three existing employees to new position. Danielle Hawthorne will fill the role of high school library/media specialist, Megan Smolinski will work as an MTSS/instructional coach TOSA, and Angela Traub will serve as the college and career coordinator TOSA.

            The board also hired Nicole Leight as an athletic administrative assistant. It accepted the resignations of two employees. Susan Mroz, an administrative assistant to the Facilities and Technology department, will leave the district today. Jewel Mack, a job coach, has left the district, according to the meeting agenda.

            The members met in executive session immediately prior to the public portion of the meeting to receive and discuss a report from the district's school safety officer, according to Solicitor Kyle Somers.