Carlisle Area SD finance update: $15M bond closes, 3% tax increase in final budget resolution to be voted June 26

The Carlisle Area School District finance committee reported a recently issued general obligation bond and presented a final fiscal‑year 2026 budget resolution that includes a 3% tax millage increase; the board will vote on the resolution at its June 26 meeting.

The nut graf: district officials said bond market demand produced more cash than anticipated, but the draft FY26 budget still shows roughly $1.0 million in expenditures over revenues; part of next year’s new debt expense will be paid from assigned fund balance.

Mike Statler, the district’s business office lead, told the board the district issued a general obligation bond with a principal amount of $14,995,000 and that settlement is scheduled for June 25. “Why did we receive more than the bond amount? Because they purchased on a good day, and they were able to, sell the bonds for more than what they're worth at that point,” Statler said, adding the district expects to receive $15,400,000 in cash on settlement — “over a million dollars that we were not expecting.” He reported the 30‑year yield on the bonds is 4.71%.

Statler said the new annual debt service for fiscal year 2026 is $512,329.17;…