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Former Catholic high school placed on tax rolls

The building which formerly housed the Cardinal Brennan High School, located at 130 Academy Lane, Butler Township, Schuylkill County, was removed from tax exemption by the Schuylkill County Assessment Appeals Board after a hearing in the county court. The request for placing the property, which contains 95.5 acres, was made by North Schuylkill School District.

There exists a difference of opinion on the market value of the property. The school district estimates it at $2.2 million while the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, owners, place, it around $800,000. The matter is expected to be taken before a county judge for a determination on its value and how much it should be assessed for tax purposes. Cardinal Brennan High School was built in the early 1920's and a gymnasium was added in 1999. It was closed several years ago.North Schuylkill School District was successful on appeals on 21 properties located within the boundaries of the school district and was able to increase the assessed valuations of the properties in its district by $279,110 for taxes on real estate.Minersville Area School District was successful on its appeals to have the market value of 16 properties increased within its boundaries and was able to add $377,635 to the district's assessments for tax purposes.Other assessmentsAmong those to have their property's value increased was David and Elizabeth Halushack, of 1341 Catawissa Creek Road, Zion Grove, North Union Township, owners of a property at 404 Sunbury St., Minersville. The school district's appeals was granted and the assessment appeals board fixed the market value and assessment of the property as follows:Market value increased from $82,060 to $113,518 and assessment from $41,030 to $56,760, an increase of $15,730 in assessment.Schuylkill Haven Area School District was successful on appeals on 32 properties and was able to add $850,700 to the assessment value in the district.