Pottsgrove board approves 2025–26 budget, tax levies and multiple personnel and contract items
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Summary
The Pottsgrove School District board adopted the 2025–26 general fund budget, approved related tax levies and a slate of personnel appointments and contract awards, and rejected a tennis court bid; the board also accepted a donated piano and approved a contract for a new drug-and-alcohol counselor.
The Pottsgrove School District Board of School Directors on Monday approved the district’s 2025–26 general fund budget and several related tax measures, confirmed multiple personnel appointments, and approved or rejected several capital and program contracts.
Budget and taxes The board voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 general fund budget and then approved the real-estate tax levy needed to fund it. The board also approved the set of Act 511 taxes (earned income tax, per capita tax, real estate transfer tax and mercantile tax) and adopted the homestead/farmstead exclusion for 2025–26. Board members said administration delivered the budget within the 2.5–3.0% guidance the board requested; administration presented a 2.6% real-estate tax increase to fund the proposed budget.
Personnel and staffing The board approved a series of personnel items, including: the appointment of Stephanie Myers as principal of Ringing Rocks Elementary School effective July 14; several professional-staff hires (agenda items 9.2–9.6); job descriptions under Act 93; support-staff assignment changes and summer hires; and extended-school-year and summer-program staff appointments. The board also approved the Keystone Plan (employee compensation and benefits consolidation) and summer hiring authority while the board is not in session.
Contracts, bids and equipment The board rejected the low bid for the district tennis-court refurbishment and authorized a future rebid. The board approved a paving contract with Saxon Sons for Lower Elementary and Bridal (sic) School paving at a cost of $597,705.84. The district accepted a Montgomery County Intermediate Unit cooperative bid award for art, general and paper and medical supplies. The board approved the purchase of janitorial management software and accepted a no-cost donation of a used baby-grand piano for the high school from Saint Aloysius.
Education programs and services Under education action items, the board approved a contract with the Lincoln Center to provide a drug-and-alcohol counselor at Pottsgrove High School (a new position), extended-school-year contracts with New Story, the school for the deaf, and Vanguard, the 2025–26 contract with Cottage 7, and authorization for a staff member to attend a German‑American teacher-exchange program.
Finance and housekeeping The board ratified payment of May 2025 invoices totaling $2,450,943.85 and approved year-end budget-transfer authority for administration to make required adjustments and present transfer details at the completion of the audit. The board also designated depositories and named tax collectors for the 2025–26 school year.
Reports and other items Superintendent Dr. David Finnerty reported that the district celebrated a Pre-K Counts graduation and plans to move the Pre-K Counts program to Lower Pottsgrove Elementary for the 2025–26 school year. The superintendent also read a letter from Lower Pottsgrove Township thanking the board for passing a tax rebate for volunteer firefighters. The board named Jordan Longacre as the student representative for the upcoming school year.
Votes at a glance (selected) - Adopt 2025–26 general fund budget — Approved (voice vote). - Approve 2025–26 real-estate tax levy (2.6% increase presented) — Approved (voice vote). - Approve Act 511 taxes (earned income, per capita, transfer, mercantile) — Approved (voice vote). - Adopt Homestead/Farmstead exclusion for 2025–26 — Approved (voice vote). - Ratify payment of May 2025 invoices — Approved; amount $2,450,943.85. - Appoint Stephanie Myers, principal, Ringing Rocks Elementary (start July 14) — Approved. - Approve Act 93 job descriptions (six job descriptions) — Approved. - Reject tennis court bid; rebid recommended — Approved (rejection). - Approve paving contract with Saxon Sons — Approved; $597,705.84. - Accept donation of a baby-grand piano from Saint Aloysius — Approved. - Approve purchase of janitorial management software — Approved. - Approve contract with the Lincoln Center for drug-and-alcohol counselor at high school — Approved.
Board members who spoke commended staff for preparing the budget and noted the district’s efforts to balance local affordability with program needs. Most motions passed by unanimous voice vote; where the board asked procedural clarifications (for example about bid re-submission and oath administration for appointees), staff and the board solicitor provided explanations.
The board adjourned after public comment and committee reports. Several board members welcomed new appointee Stacy Herbert and outgoing candidates were encouraged to remain engaged in district committees and volunteer opportunities.
