Haverford board adopts $159 million 2025–26 budget, raises millage to 19.6509 mills

The Haverford Township School District Board of School Directors on June 5 adopted the district's final 2025–26 general fund budget and voted to levy real estate taxes at a rate of 19.6509 mills, a 4% increase from the current year.

The vote followed a presentation on revenue and expenditures by district staff and a roll-call adoption of the budget. The district projects total revenue of about $155,548,000 and total expenditures of roughly $159,000,000, leaving a budget shortfall of approximately $3,900,000. To cover the gap the board approved using $2,200,000 from the unassigned fund balance and drawing $1,600,000 from committed fund balance (about $1,100,000 earmarked for summer capital projects plus an additional $500,000), leaving the district projecting an unassigned fund balance near 5.28% of expenditures at year-end.

Why it matters: Board members said the budget illustrates a tightening fiscal environment for local school districts — modest state basic education increases, shrinking special-education reimbursements, and uncertainty about future federal Title funding all strain local finances. The board’s action preserves current programs for 2025–26 but relies on reserves and committed capital funds, raising questions about the district’s multi-year fiscal sustainability.

Staff presentation and revenue details District staff described local revenue assumptions and state, federal, and other revenue streams. The presentation noted a 4% millage increase in the budget equates to an approximate 3.73% change once property assessment shifts are applied. The district expects only a small statewide increase in basic education funding (about $100,000) and noted a reduction in special-education funding tied to student counts and service intensity. Gaming-derived state property tax relief (homestead/farmstead) receipts increased; eligible homeowners who applied would see a homestead credit of about $284 on their tax bill based on the district’s estimate.

On expenditures, the district said it is maintaining current programs and contractual salary/benefit obligations. Non-salary increases include out-of-district IU services and tuition, utility and curriculum costs, and debt service related to facilities work. The budget sets capital allocations of about $1.1 million for summer projects.

Board members’ remarks and fiscal outlook Board members emphasized that the district can cover the 2025–26 budget without program cuts but warned the approach leans on one-time fund balance and committed capital funds. "We are in for some years where we need to think hard about revenue sources," said a board member, urging the district to pursue creative revenue options or consider expenditure adjustments in future years. Board members also discussed federal funding uncertainty; administrators said guidance indicates no immediate federal cuts for 2025–26 but recommended planning for potential reductions in subsequent years.

Formal actions and next steps The board adopted the final general fund budget by roll-call vote and approved a related homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution that establishes an estimated $14,484 assessed-value inclusion and projects a $284.62 reduction in tax liability for qualifying properties. The board’s finance and facilities committee will continue oversight; staff said they will update projections if state or federal funding guidance changes and will present three-year forecasts at upcoming committee meetings.

Documentation and oversight Board members asked that the district continue monitoring MAP and other local assessment data tied to instructional priorities while the finance team manages the multi-year projection. The district also scheduled its finance and facilities committee to meet June 9 for continued review and long-range planning.