[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6514887,"mediaKeyId","5022770-988c64e687275cc02ac8849c040d8daa","parentId",5022770,"title","Methacton presents strategic-plan progress: literacy, safety and facilities among highlights","audioSeconds",1707,"startMs",4153000,"endMs",5860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022770-988c64e687275cc02ac8849c040d8daa&start=4153&end=5860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022770-988c64e687275cc02ac8849c040d8daa/thumbnail_4153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514887/Pennsylvania/Methacton-presents-strategic-plan-progress-literacy-safety-and-facilities-among-highlights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514887-5f3e4d355e46dfd7b03265b7cbb4e37f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147312&Signature=VB4UqSM-fZYZhkBqwe8XkjcFP9DlSCS5xTea1P39H~bD2AjRxERv-GtEavo4dFK8hCpVqr8FNFjwvLZ4osYRAJYkIxZGJZ5~ZDrCWJ6P0abZd83Ed1F1~~pSDNcvZojskf1Sfc9iEw9Z3PmwUXPlUoUPWDT2NITqZ9z2OhJUZCMo25hVszoQlSD0K1oI1bEHOsrj85iqz3V1FRJWDsCSf-3vAJ~jfNIBHO1g7jNciCIL7qsHfIwBTv9B~kqZK5ZP02GFC~ARvhtq5AwdXoGL4~GiE32CHJNabzUY5PRlmuZ5vOwmrhQdE8SeixDDYe7wiGhrx3yihmf~SvgQKdNkHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Methacton School District","date","2025-06-18T05:54:11.41Z","article","District leaders reviewed progress on Methacton School District's multi-year strategic plan at a June 17 work-session update, highlighting curriculum adoptions, literacy work, safety upgrades and several operational initiatives completed during the 2024–25 school year.

Doctor Zerbe opened the presentation and the administration summarized accomplishments across curriculum and resources, professional learning and programming. The presentation noted completed curriculum reviews (science and world language), a district literacy audit and the third year of full-day kindergarten. The district said it has deployed Kid Writing across elementary schools, introduced I-Ready for math, and expanded instructional coaching.

Leaders also flagged student supports and safety work. The district described a new emotional-support program at Eagleville to provide in-district options for students with emotional disturbance and to reduce out-of-district placements; the program will include training for staff, individualized behavior plans and a designated space for students to \"reregulate,\" according to presenters during the earlier budget discussion. The work-session presentation highlighted security improvements made this year: upgrades to detection systems, physical security features, nine new AEDs, PECO-funded energy upgrades, and a $184,000 PCCD grant to implement security screenings at large events.

Operational and people updates
The presentation said the district hired roughly 100 employees over the past year and introduced an internal certification pathway to support non-certified staff pursuing licensure. The district reported labor agreements ratified with the Teamsters and approval of the MESPA contract. Financial planning improvements include a new 10-year forecast model built with PFM and an anticipated $80,000 reduction in software costs for 2025–26.

Community, extracurriculars and volunteers
Communications staff reported more than 2,100 active volunteers and 4,400 building sign-ins this year; the district launched an esports space at the high school and reported state-level competitive placements for teams. The high school counseling office was credited with extensive college-placement support; presenters cited more than 250 college acceptances for the Class of 2025, including several to Ivy League institutions.

What's next
The district listed near-term priorities including final decisions about the high school facilities plan, ongoing work on belonging and MTSS/PBIS supports, piloting the community cares program and continuing capital planning. Administration said the Audubon Elementary School sale is expected to finalize within 12 months. There were no board actions tied directly to the strategic-plan update; the presentation was informational.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025, 7:00 PM - Special Meeting of the Board - Final Budget Adoption and Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","At a June 17 work session, district leaders summarized 2024–25 strategic-plan accomplishments including literacy initiatives, safety upgrades, hiring and volunteer engagement and previewed priorities for 2025–26.","taxTitle","Methacton SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",55561,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6514892,"Methacton school board adopts $137.8 million 2025-26 budget, approves 4.45% tax increase",3245,170000,3415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022770-988c64e687275cc02ac8849c040d8daa&start=170&end=3415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022770-988c64e687275cc02ac8849c040d8daa/thumbnail_170000.jpg","/articles/6514892/Pennsylvania/Methacton-school-board-adopts-1378-million-2025-26-budget-approves-445-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514892-27b2669d591b09296492255db2d18f95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147312&Signature=goOW6lGxL0iHJOFYI1LKPJ~y2kY6uGiBDjm9kk0~-9OlYSIYZZ4Bw7mC83oX5yLP49HtcCnCuWjn2ZZfNx6EdM85a5iy1OZ7Twq5wWLDJ62kTVRRZ1O0yBZn200WedQ8BoNN5Z4tU91YJr2NhObhKo3JNcBZlEklMMKNRO3jdzgg5Q4L70uz63WxiqvDaMTVsH0lFw175lmZzQDEJHkPgnqnFiSpMJUaVsqyqFWn78vHbCu7Dqf0qNtfR8LSJGPERYQNHtnNBIunUADdSKll7WUktd-M4eUNmf-OFGNiU9rFpcub6FOD65MrkCIeO0V~y-zuqO5tQ1-j6KrQ0RJaSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Methacton School District board members on June 17 approved a $137,776,916 general fund budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year and a 4.45% increase in property taxes, voting 5–2 on the motion. The administration said using the Act 1 special education exception was necessary because the proposed increase exceeded the 4% Act 1 index.

The budget presentation was given by the district’s director of business services, identified in the meeting as Ms. Steffey, who said the final budget reflects a net reduction in expenditures from earlier drafts and a continued focus on “fiscal responsibility and educational excellence.” Ms. Steffey told the board that June adjustments produced a net expenditure decrease of $1,970,000 from a January preliminary figure and that the final spending total is $137,776,916. “Between February and May, various additions and reductions were proposed that resulted in a net expenditure decrease of $1,970,000,” she said.

The administration recommended a 4.45% tax increase to balance revenues and expenditures; Ms. Steffey told the board that the increase is needed to avoid using fund balance and to cover special education costs that exceed the Act 1 index. Using Montgomery County median homestead values, she said the typical homeowner could see an increase of about $269.25 on the annual tax bill.

Why it matters: the tax action uses the state’s Act 1 special education exception, which permits districts to exceed the Act 1 index when special education costs rise above the cap. Board members debated whether to cap the increase at 4.0% and accept a reduction in the district’s debt-service allocation in the short term; the administration advised against moving money from debt service because it would limit future borrowing capacity for capital projects.

Key budget details and board discussion
- Final general fund expenditure: $137,776,916 (administration’s June figure).
- Recommended tax increase: 4.45% (exceeds the 4.0% Act 1 index; administration recommended using the special education exception).
- Revenue adjustments noted: June revenue changes included a $297,776 reduction (Ms. Steffey).
- Savings and reallocations: a $98,000 cost savings tied to a provider change and reduction of one psychologist position in the REACH program; an additional $20,000 allocated for implementation of the community cares program; June net adjustments of $56,888 were reported.
- Salary/benefits: the administration reported limiting the salary increase to 1.1% and a strategic reduction of staff (multiple positions eliminated or not filled were listed in the presentation).

Board members asked detailed questions about line-item categories, the planned emotional support program at Eagleville, how reductions in contracted services were achieved, and the trade-offs of capping the tax increase at 4.0% versus adopting 4.45%. Questions were raised about whether a 4.0% cap could be achieved by reducing debt service allocations; the administration said that technically that change could produce a balanced budget but warned it would reduce the district’s borrowing capacity for capital work. Ms. Steffey said the difference between a 4.0% and 4.45% increase is roughly $407,000 in the first year and that the district’s most recent special education settlement cost was about $409,000.

Public comment and board reaction
Several residents criticized the process and urged the board to seek additional cuts or defer borrowing. One frequent public speaker, identified in the record as Jim Alec Worsester, urged the board to cut administrative costs and challenged prior budget assumptions. Another resident urged the board to examine interest income, timing of borrowings and other administrative line items. Board members who opposed the 4.45% increase said they believed more work could be done on cost reductions before approving the higher rate; those who supported 4.45% cited rising special education costs and potential longer-term fiscal risks if the district limited the tax increase now.

Board action and vote
The board made a motion to approve the 2025–26 general fund budget and the related millage sufficient to levy a 4.45% tax increase. The motion was seconded; the roll call was not read aloud in the transcript. The motion passed 5–2.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve general fund budget for fiscal year 2025–26 in the amount of $137,776,916 and a property tax increase of 4.45% (use of Act 1 special education exception). Outcome: approved 5–2. (Mover: Mr. Winters; second: Mr. Mirsky; vote tally: yes 5, no 2 — individual votes not announced in transcript.)

What’s next
The administration will implement the approved budget and proceed with the district’s capital borrowing plans as described in the presentation; board members and the administration also discussed further explanation for the public about the differences between a 4.0% and 4.45% scenario and the long-range revenue impacts over several years.

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Methacton presents strategic-plan progress: literacy, safety and facilities among highlights

Methacton school board adopts $137.8 million 2025-26 budget, approves 4.45% tax increase