Central York SD board adopts $115.9 million 2025–26 budget, sets 3% tax levy

The Central York School District Board of School Directors on June 16 adopted a $115,900,058 general fund budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year and set the real estate tax levy at 23.4271 mills, which the board said is equivalent to a 3% tax increase.

Board members first considered an amendment to reduce the proposed millage increase from 3% to 2; a board member moved the amendment but it received no second and therefore was not considered. The original budget motion and associated resolutions were then taken and approved by roll call.

Roll-call vote recorded for the budget adoption showed: Hartman — No; McMillan — Yes; Rick — Yes; Stewart — Yes; Strickler — Yes; Thurman — Yes; Walker — Yes; Milston — Yes; (Oliver absent). The board recorded the tax levy motion as passing 7–1 with one member absent on a separate roll call that named the same voting positions.

Among other items the board approved at the meeting: - Approval of minutes from committee and regular meetings (May dates) — motion passed. - Treasurer’s report and financial reports: beginning cash balance for May $26,367,295; reported revenues of about $7,800,000 and expenditures (accruals/deferrals noted) about $8,000,000; ending cash balance for May $26,196,754 — approved as presented. - Education action items taken together: student handbooks, school day schedule for 2025–26 and K–8 music curriculum maps — approved. - Co‑curricular action items: 2025–26 game management compensation schedule and athletic officials’ fees — approved. - Personnel omnibus (0.01–0.08): conferences/workshops approval for June 2025; retirements/resignations; new employment, transfers and summer hires; approval of 2025–26 JROTC agreements (two existing positions reapproved, with updated language to reflect the JROTC memorandum of understanding adopted in February and salary updates tied to Air Force pay); approval of job descriptions for assistant to the superintendent for student services and CTE, and director of accounting — all approved. - Executive/finance items: adoption of the general fund budget (see above) and related resolutions. - Tax-rate items: board set the earned income tax rate and realty transfer tax rate at one-half percent each and adopted the homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution for the 2025–26 fiscal year in accordance with Act 1 of the special session of 02/2006 — motion passed; board discussion encouraged eligible homeowners to apply for the exclusion. - Other business/operations approvals taken together: 2025–26 cafeteria operating items; renewal of the multi‑peril insurance package from Assured Partners; student insurance contract with A & G Administrators (co‑curricular coverage premium about $27,000; voluntary student insurance $28 for school-time, $124 for 24‑hour primary excess over $100 coverage); district fees and admission prices (added a $4 cash option for students and seniors); authorization of school physicians for 2025–26; and affirmation/adoption of findings of fact for a student disciplinary hearing — all approved as presented. - Community items: facility rentals and fundraisers — approved.

Board discussion during the budget item addressed taxpayer impact and recent increases in assessed property values from the county. A board member noted that a 0% tax increase would still yield additional revenue from rising assessed values and asked whether the board could reduce the proposed increase; the member suggested a 2% rate as an alternative. After discussion and an unsuccessful amendment, the board proceeded with the budget as presented.

The board also reviewed figures related to property-tax impacts: staff said the average homeowner increase associated with the 3% millage change is about $110; the district cited a figure of $202,108.76 as a total homestead/farmstead savings pool in BoardDocs and noted homestead/farmstead savings vary by property and by whether a homeowner is newly enrolled in the exclusion program or already participating.