Eastern York board weighs 1.06‑mill option, reassessment appeals and special‑education changes to narrow budget gap

Eastern York School District officials on Tuesday presented a proposed 2025–26 budget that remains in the red despite program reductions and steps to bring special‑education classrooms back into the district.

District business staff told the board the starting deficit was about $3.9 million and that the administration's proposed reductions have cut but not eliminated the shortfall; with the revisions the board was shown options that range from a 0.75‑mill increase to a maximum 1.4‑mill raise. Administration recommended the board adopt a proposed budget at its next meeting and offered a slate of fallback tax options to approve on Tuesday: 1.06 mills (about a 4% increase), 1.0 mill, or 0.75 mill. Board members signaled support for presenting two or three options to voters when the proposed budget is posted for public review.

Why it matters: the board's fund balance and its credit rating affect the district's future ability to borrow for building projects. Administration said the district's general fund balance stood near $8.3 million and that using too large a portion could lower Moody's‑type rating metrics and raise borrowing costs for any future capital plans.

Key budget details and staff changes District staff said special‑education changes are a major element of the savings package. Presentation slides and staff explanation described plans to take full administrative…