Susquehanna Township board advances proposed 2025‑26 budget with 3.5% real‑estate tax recommendation; $6.7M spending increase and facility debt noted

Susquehanna Township School District finance staff presented the proposed final general fund budget for fiscal year 2025‑26 and the board voted to advertise the proposed budget for public inspection and a future vote.

Finance staff described a proposed 2025‑26 spending plan of about $73.32 million and said the plan represents an increase of roughly $6.73 million (about 10.1%) over the current year. The presentation identified major expenditure drivers — wages, benefits, debt service, student transportation, cyber‑charter tuition and out‑of‑district special‑education tuition — and noted that 60% of district expenditures are labor (salaries plus benefits).

To reduce the budget gap the administration recommended a 3.5% real‑estate tax increase. Finance staff said the median property owner in the district (median assessed value cited in the presentation as $115,400) would pay about $89 more per year — about $7.42 per month — if the 3.5% rate is approved. The presentation projected a June 30, 2026 general‑fund balance of about $14,740,000 after the increase; staff also said the district expects to begin FY 2025‑26 with a fund balance in excess of $17.5 million.

Debt and facilities: staff reported an increase in debt service of about $831,000, and said roughly $711,000 of that increase would finance a proposed new 2025 bond issue of about $15 million to support construction/renovation at the Deer Path facility. Staff also reviewed conceptual plans for a new elementary school at the Stanley Drive property and the Deer Path renovation; they cautioned the board that the projected staff and facility additions will be difficult to sustain repeatedly without new recurring revenue sources.

Staffing and large‑line items: presenters said about $2.24 million of the total spending increase is associated with new staff and related labor costs, and that other large increases included benefits and capital transfers to the capital projects fund. The presentation included a note that state Ready to Learn Block Grant funds and other state increases contribute to higher state revenues in the budgeted totals.

Board action: the board approved a resolution to adopt the proposed final 2025‑26 budget for public display and scheduled a public inspection period and required advertisement; a roll‑call vote on the resolution passed 7–0 with two members absent. Finance staff indicated the board will consider adoption of a final budget after the public display and required hearings.

Why it matters: a multi‑million dollar annual spending increase, a bond issue to finance facility work and a recommended tax increase all affect the district’s long‑term financial flexibility, the tax burden on property owners, and capacity to address overcrowding and program needs. The board’s approval to advertise the proposed final budget begins the statutory notice period required before formal adoption.