The Southern York County School District board on May 15 adopted a $68,000,403 general fund budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved a tax levy resolution that does not raise the district's millage. The board also adopted the homestead and farmstead resolution that applies an increased state credit to qualifying properties.

The board approved the budget during its regular meeting after a brief presentation from district staff. "The total for the budget for this year is $68,000,403," a board member said before the motion passed with no nays. The tax levy resolution that followed likewise included no tax increase.

Why it matters: The district's budget sets spending for schools, staff and services for the coming year; adopting the levy without increasing rates keeps local property-tax burdens steady. The board also approved distribution of state homestead/farmstead funds, a program that reduces eligible homeowners' bills.

Officials said the district received a larger homestead/farmstead allocation from the state for 2025–26, funded through state gambling revenues. "With that additional amount for this year, we now have what I consider more of an actual reduction in property tax," the district's finance speaker said, noting a per-property reduction of $316.31 for qualifying homesteads and farmsteads. The district's allocation from the state was presented as approximately $1.8 million.

The board chair and district staff said the budget reflects a return to pre-pandemic federal funding patterns and that district reserves assigned for capital remain in place. Board members had the budget and related financial reports available for review; no supplementary changes were made during the vote.

Ending: The budget and levy actions are effective for fiscal year 2025–26. The board set its next regularly scheduled meeting for June 19; staff said routine financial monitoring will continue through the year.