Methacton school board adopts $137.8 million 2025-26 budget, approves 4.45% tax increase

Methacton School District board members on June 17 approved a $137,776,916 general fund budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year and a 4.45% increase in property taxes, voting 5–2 on the motion. The administration said using the Act 1 special education exception was necessary because the proposed increase exceeded the 4% Act 1 index.

The budget presentation was given by the district’s director of business services, identified in the meeting as Ms. Steffey, who said the final budget reflects a net reduction in expenditures from earlier drafts and a continued focus on “fiscal responsibility and educational excellence.” Ms. Steffey told the board that June adjustments produced a net expenditure decrease of $1,970,000 from a January preliminary figure and that the final spending total is $137,776,916. “Between February and May, various additions and reductions were proposed that resulted in a net expenditure decrease of $1,970,000,” she said.

The administration recommended a 4.45% tax increase to balance revenues and expenditures; Ms. Steffey told the board that the increase is needed to avoid using fund balance and to cover special education costs that exceed the Act 1 index. Using Montgomery County median homestead values, she…