Northern Lebanon SD board adopts $53.2 million final budget; state homestead relief increases for district homeowners

The Northern Lebanon School District Board of Directors on May 13 adopted a proposed final general fund budget of $53,191,057 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and set related tax and compensation items.

Board members said the state increased Homestead Relief funding for the district, producing a roughly $209 reduction on current bills and a $244 reduction projected for the 2025–26 tax year for eligible homeowners, and noted the change slightly offsets the districts tax increase tied to the adopted millage.

Why it matters: the budget establishes the districts total appropriations, includes scheduled salary increases for bargaining-unit members and administrative, supervisory and classified personnel, and sets the local tax posture for the coming year.

Board discussion focused on the homestead-relief payment from the state and the budgets tax impact on households. Miss Martin explained the state increased the Homestead Relief allotment to Northern Lebanon School District by "a little over 1,200,000.0" for the 2025–26 tax year and showed examples of the net effect on homeowners at different assessed values. Using the districts adopted rate figures, the presenter illustrated an approximate out-of-pocket tax increase of about $13.55 for a $100,000 assessed-value home in 2025–26 after accounting for the increased homestead relief.

The board voted by roll call to approve item 10.1, the proposed final budget. The roll call recorded "yes" votes from Director Kreiser, Director Moyer, Director Fowler, Director Williams, Director Blough, Director Klein and Director England; President Barry Nam was absent. The motion passed unanimously of those present.

The agenda materials noted that the millage tax rate and other tax-authority matters were stated under the Pennsylvania School Code (the transcript references "section 6 7 2 of the Pennsylvania School Code"). The board also confirmed the per-capita tax will be set at $0 for the 2025–26 fiscal year (transcript reference: "section 6 7 9" and "section 5 11 of 19 6 5" as cited during the meeting). Public notice of the meeting was given in accordance with Act 84 of 1986.

The board president and staff said a short resolution to accept the Homestead Relief funds from the commonwealth will be on the June agenda for final approval alongside the adopted budget. Staff said informational inserts explaining available relief will be mailed with real-estate tax bills.

Board members did not direct additional study or changes at the meeting; the action before the board was formal adoption of the proposed final budget and the accompanying tax settings.

Details and next steps: the adopted appropriations figure for the general fund is $53,191,057. Staff told the board the homestead relief payment amount from the state is "a little over 1,200,000.0" for the district for 2025–26 and that the district will present a one-page resolution in June to accept the funds. The district also published the proposed budget and made it available for public inspection in advance of the vote.