Tredyffrin-Easttown adopts $196.4 million 2025-26 budget, approves 1.3194‑mill tax increase

Tredyffrin‑Easttown School District Board of School Directors on June 9 approved the district’s final 2025‑26 budget, authorizing $196,416,579 in spending and adopting a new millage rate that increases the tax rate by 1.3194 mills. The motion passed by a roll‑call vote of 9–0.

The budget vote matters because it funds staffing additions, capital transfers for the new Bear Hill Elementary School and full‑day kindergarten expansion, and a range of student supports. District presenters said the budget is intended to sustain the district’s academic and extracurricular programs while preparing for the opening of Bear Hill in fall 2027.

Dr. Guzik, a district administrator who presented the budget with Mr. McDonnell, said the district expects to serve about 6,845 students in 2025‑26 and outlined recent student achievements at Conestoga High School and across the district. Mr. McDonnell, who provided the revenue and tax‑rate breakdown, said the resolution before the board lists $190,299,975 in expected revenue and a $6,116,607 commitment from fund balance to balance the spending plan.

The board discussed how the budget responds to rising costs and capital needs. Mr. McDonnell said the district’s “untreated” operational gap was about $9.9 million; applying the Act 1 index at 4 percent and a special‑education exception reduced the budget gap to roughly $3.1 million, which the district will address in part with fund balance and a contingency sum. The resolution lists a millage rate of 29.6567 (rounded to 29.66) and an increase of 1.3194 mills from the current rate.

The budget includes funding for staff additions the administration listed: three special‑education teachers, one mental‑health specialist, two school psychologists, eight STEM teachers, two reading specialists and one English‑language‑development teacher. It also allocates capital funds for the athletic fields project and renovation work tied to Bear Hill Elementary, which the presenters said will open in fall 2027 and enable districtwide full‑day kindergarten. The administration described authorized spending of $196,416,579 and said anticipated spending is roughly $3 million lower because the resolution includes contingency funding.

Board members who spoke in favor cited community support for the new elementary school and the need to maintain program quality. Board member Mary Anne Piccione said she intends to approve the budget and urged continued vigilance on expenses. Dr. Roberta Hatinski (board finance chair) and other directors noted the district’s history of holding down operating costs during the year and said they expect administration to continue those efforts to help close the remaining gap.

The board conducted a roll‑call vote. Mr. Hong, Dr. Hatinski, Dr. Allen, Ms. Weil, Ms. Piccione, Dr. Singh, Ms. Audrain, Vice President Tiete and President Kantorsuk voted yes; the resolution carried 9–0.

The board also discussed the district’s use of fund balance and a planned capital funds transfer of $6 million intended to help support operations for Bear Hill when it opens. Mr. McDonnell said the district has advertised the budget per state requirements and that the budget was available for public inspection before the vote.

The board indicated it will continue finance‑committee and administrative monitoring during the coming year and expects to present the audit in November. Administrators and the board said additional public meetings and committee work on facilities and Bear Hill bids will continue over the summer and into next year.