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Neshaminy board adopts final $226.4 million operating budget for 2025–26; tax levies approved
Summary
The Neshaminy School District Board of School Directors adopted a final operating budget for fiscal 2025–26 and approved a set of tax levies; the budget passed on a 6–3 roll call after the board heard extensive public comment about music staffing.
The Neshaminy School District Board of School Directors adopted a final operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 during its public meeting, approving a general‑fund appropriation of $226,407,676 and related revenues and other financing sources of $221,457,251. The motion to adopt the final budget passed on a 6–3 roll call.
Board member Missus Hollenbeck moved the resolution to adopt the final operating budget, citing compliance with Act 1 of 2006 and the Public School Code of 1949. Missus Lafferty seconded the motion. The motion text presented to the board stated that the budget had been reviewed, advertised as required by law and filed on PDE form 2028.
During the roll call, the following votes were recorded: Mister Allen — No; Missus Pershes — No; Missus Hallenbeck — Yes; Missus Lafferty — Yes; Missus Marshall — Yes; Mister Rodriguez — No; Mister Sporney — Yes; Mister Sullivan — Yes; Miss Walpieser — Yes. The tally was six yes, three no; the motion passed.
The resolution also set local tax levies and fees as presented in the motion: per-capita tax under the school code, $5; Act 511 per-capita ($10); local services tax (formerly OPT/EMS), $10; business privilege and mercantile taxes (1 mill wholesale, 1.5 mills retail with license fees noted); real-estate transfer tax, 1 percent; and an amusement tax at 10 percent as amended by law. The motion record included text stating the district levied these taxes as part of the final budget adoption; the agenda packet contained the detailed budget pages.
Board members acknowledged strong public comment earlier in the meeting, largely focused on proposed changes to the music department staffing and scheduling. Several trustees said the community's comments had been heard and that administration and department leads would continue to refine schedules and staffing within the constraints of the adopted budget.
Votes at a glance (other motions during the meeting): - Routine matters (minutes, treasurer's report, check register, investments, exonerations) — master motion approved, 9–0. - Personnel (certificated retirements/resignations/appointments and cocurricular/ancillary items) — master motion approved, 9–0. - Personnel (support) — master motion approved, 9–0. - Business operations (multiple items including homestead/farmstead exclusion, stop-loss insurance, year-end transfers, federal program adjustments, EIT study, intergovernmental agreements, Act 93 agreements) — master motion approved, 9–0. - Lakeside Youth Service Agreement (contract for 2025–26) — approved, 9–0. - Second reading and final adoption of listed policies — approved, 9–0.
Several trustees said passing the budget was necessary to ensure the district could "keep the lights on" starting July 1 and to avoid halting payroll or operations. Trustees also noted the district would continue work to balance fiscal responsibility with program preservation and said administration had been directed to pursue savings primarily through attrition and other efficiency measures where feasible.
Ending: The budget vote concluded the board's principal fiscal action for the coming year; trustees and administrators said they will monitor scheduling and program impacts and may return to the board with adjustments or recommendations tied to enrollment and program needs.
