Athens Area School District taxpayers will see a 5.8% increase in property taxes under a $47.8 million budget approved for the 2025-2026 school year Tuesday
Preparing the budget came with plenty of challenges. Superintendent Dr. Craig Stage pointed to rising costs in health care and cyber charter schools, as well as a shrinking tax base and lower levels of state funding. The district also can no longer rely on federal COVID relief dollars that helped bridge the gap during those difficult years.
The district has reduced staffing through attrition, helping offset the salary and benefit costs that make up 72% of the overall budget. Officials anticipate a 2.5% increase in salaries along with an 8.2% increase in health care.
Smaller cuts have been made across the board and the district has reorganized where it can to save money.
Portions of the health care and state retirement system fund balance helped further bridge the gap.
Stage hopes a new state budget in the weeks ahead can bring good news for school funding.
Meanwhile, Stage looks forward to bringing a new business manager on board as district leaders come together to better plan for the future.
