Keystone Oaks School District

The Keystone Oaks School District’s Board of School Directors approved the 2025-2026 Final General Fund Budget during their Business/Legislative Meeting on June 17, 2025. The Final Budget calls for total expenditures of $51,593,474 and total revenues of $49,763,184. The budget will be balanced with a 4% tax increase and by using a portion of the District’s available fund balance. The 4% increase is the maximum increase permitted by state law for the Keystone Oaks School District. 

The tax increase is necessary as the District plans for an estimated $15 million dollar renovation of all three elementary schools that will include HVAC system upgrades, roof repairs, window replacement, and the purchase and installation of new playground equipment and surfaces during the first phase of a multi-phase project. The elementary schools have not been renovated for 30 years. 

“District administrators and the Board of School Directors have been reviewing the architectural study that was completed earlier this year and have been working diligently to ensure that this project addresses the needs of our students and staff in a way that is fiscally responsible to Keystone Oaks taxpayers,” Superintendent William P. Stropkaj said. “We do not take raising taxes lightly, but this increase was necessary so that we can address our aging facilities while making improvements that reflect teaching and learning today and in the future.” 

The tax increase also offsets a $485,000 decrease in real estate revenue related to reductions in property assessment values, as well as increases in nearly all areas of operations, including:

• A 5.7% increase for medical insurance premiums
• A 5% increase in transportation costs 

The final millage rate for the 2025-2026 school year is 21.9442. Taxes will increase approximately $85 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. In the past five years, property taxes have increased three other times, with only one other year representing the maximum increase allowed. 

Approved property owners will receive a $279.15 reduction in their tax bill from the Homestead Exclusion through Pennsylvania's Tax Payer Relief Act.