Franklin Regional board adopts proposed final 2025–26 budget; property tax rate to rise 3.58%

The Franklin Regional School Board on Monday approved a proposed final general fund budget for 2025–26 that includes $71,249,966 in expenditures and projects $70,578,234 in revenues, producing a $671,732 shortfall the district will cover with reserves.

Finance director John Perry told the board the package includes a 3.58% increase in the property tax rate and a recommendation to use $147,000 of committed fund balance for technology projects plus $524,732 of unassigned fund balance to balance the budget. “The budget does contain a 3.58% increase to the property tax rate,” Perry said.

Perry said personnel costs account for most of the increase — about $1.8 million — and that health‑care premium increases (the Westmoreland County Public Schools Healthcare Consortium approved a 9% medical premium rise) and a higher PSERS employer contribution rate are primary drivers. The proposed budget also reflects higher electricity and data‑processing costs and projected increases in special‑education and tuition line items, including charter and cyber charter tuition.

On revenue, the district budgeted conservatively for state aid, using the governor’s proposal as the baseline. Perry noted the governor’s budget omitted prior cyber‑charter transition funding ($93,000 in 2024‑25) and said the district did not budget for a tuition cap but remains watchful as the state budget develops.

Adopting a proposed final budget triggers the public inspection period required under Act 1 timelines; the district will make the budget available for public review and return to the board for final adoption in June. The board approved the proposed final budget by roll call vote.