Mount Lebanon presents balanced 2025-26 budget with 4.7% Act 1 millage increase; voting set for May 21

Mount Lebanon School District leaders presented a balanced final budget for fiscal 2025-26 that includes a proposed real estate tax increase tied to the Act 1 index and special education exceptions and leaves the district’s fund balance unchanged.

The district’s proposed 2025-26 revenues total $125,119,257. “This budget is balanced and does not use fund balance or furloughs to balance it,” Dr. Friese said during the presentation, summarizing the administration’s recommendation.

The administration told the board the millage increase has two parts: an Act 1 index increase of 4.7% (an added 0.0013771 mills with an estimated $3.4 million revenue impact) and approved special-education exceptions adding 0.002724 mills for about $748,000. Together, the presentation said, those changes would move the districtwide millage from 0.0293005 to 0.03095 — an increase of 0.0016495 mills and projected district revenue of $4,159,908. The administration showed sample homeowner impacts,…