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Abington Heights board adopts 2025–26 budget, raises millage 4.7%
Summary
The Abington Heights School District board approved the 2025–26 general fund budget and a 4.7% millage increase, moving the millage from 141.4 to 148; board members voted 8-0 to adopt the plan.
The Abington Heights School District board on June 18 approved the 2025–26 general fund budget and a 4.7% millage increase, moving the district millage from 141.4 to 148. The motion passed on a roll call vote, 8-0.
The budget package presented by Superintendent Doctor Schaefer and finance staff calls for the millage change to address rising costs in salaries, benefits, maintenance and transportation — which the superintendent said together account for roughly 90% of expenditures. Schaefer told the board the budget proposal balances as required by the state but noted it may require use of capital reserves to manage short-term gaps.
Board members and finance staff described the local-state-federal revenue mix and the practical effect on a typical taxpayer. Finance staff and the superintendent said the district’s median assessed value is $3,100; after accounting for the farmstead/farmstead exclusion the adjusted median used in calculations falls to $2,970. The administration said the millage change translates to about $29.70 for the median assessment under the district’s calculations.
Schaefer and finance staff emphasized that local revenues provide about two-thirds of district revenue, with roughly one-third coming from the state and a small federal share. The superintendent and finance staff told the board they budget conservatively because the district must adopt a budget before the state’s final funding decisions are fixed.
Board members asked for and received a brief breakdown of where spending pressures are greatest. The superintendent singled out health care and pharmaceutical cost increases (he said “pharma increased by 25%”) as a key upward pressure. Finance staff said the district’s long-term capital plans and upcoming debt service for construction projects also informed the millage decision.
The board approved the budget on a roll call vote, 8-0. The adoption was followed later in the meeting by routine approvals tied to implementation steps and related contracts.
The district plans to publish the adopted budget and the official tax notice as required by state law and to continue reporting to the board as updated state revenue figures become available.
