District finance staff recommends 2.75% tax increase, 21 new/converted positions and use of committed reserves in FY26 plan

The Wallingford‑Swarthmore School District business office presented a preliminary FY2025‑26 budget estimate to the finance committee on April 23 that recommends a 2.75% tax increase, adds personnel to address building and programmatic needs, and proposes drawing $1.4 million from the district’s committed fund balances to balance the plan.

Joanna Mosley, the district business officer leading the presentation, told the committee that the recommendation reflects a mix of reallocations, restorations of in‑house services and a modest tax increase to fund operations and newly identified needs. “The benefit of reallocating is we’re taking existing money and applying it in a different area,” Mosley said. She also warned of near‑term federal grant uncertainty, saying the district faces a risk of forfeiting funds unless federal guidance changes.

Major revenue and fund choices: Mosley recommended the 2.75% tax increase to generate local revenue for FY26 and proposed using $1.4 million from committed fund balances (previously set aside for specific purposes) to help meet next year’s costs. The presentation included updated revenue expectations, modest…