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Bristol Township SD approves $180.6 million preliminary budget, proposes 5.3% millage increase
Summary
The Bristol Township School District board approved a preliminary 2025-26 budget of $180,614,018 and proposed a millage increase at the Act 1 index (5.3%), which the district estimates would add about $18.28 per month for the average homeowner. The budget relies in part on a partial sale of the FDR building and available fund balance.
The Bristol Township School District Board of School Directors approved a preliminary 2025-26 spending plan totaling $180,614,018 and moved to set the proposed millage at the Act 1 index, a 5.3% increase, the board voted 8-0 on the motion. Business Manager and Chief Financial Officer John Scavelli presented the budget and said it preserves staffing and existing programs while building in targeted additions for English learners, special education and technology replacement cycles.
Scavelli told the board the district’s largest appropriation is base salaries and employee benefits (about 58% of spending). Tuition obligations (charters, technical high school and certain special placements) total about $23.7 million; special education and pupil services are roughly $18.7 million; debt service is about $12.4 million; transportation and operations make up the remaining major categories. “This budget … preserves all personnel and programs,” Scavelli said, while noting it is a “status quo” budget with some targeted shifts to support initiatives next year.
The administration proposed balancing the budget with three primary revenue actions: a property tax increase at the Act 1 index, partial proceeds from the sale of the FDR building and the use of available fund balance (surplus). Scavelli said the district expects to commit roughly $9.4 million from the FDR sale toward the 2025-26 budget and estimated an additional $7.6 million in sale proceeds that should be realized and available for 2026-27. He cautioned that one-time resources are finite: “As you use one-time funding sources and as you use up surplus, you do create a gap between your regular expenditures [and] your regular revenue sources. Once those one-time sources are gone, they’re gone.”
Scavelli also walked the board through the tax levy calculation. The district proposed increasing the millage rate from 220.14 to 231.81 (reflecting the 5.3% Act 1 index). He said rising property assessments and an increased state property tax reduction allocation help lower the net impact. For the average home, Scavelli said the proposed levy change would add about $219.35 annually (about $18.28 per month). The superintendent, Joseph Nitti, reiterated that the version approved tonight is preliminary and the board will present a final budget for approval in June.
Why it matters: the preliminary approval allows the district to post required budget documents and proceed through the state review and local finalization steps. The board is required to approve a final spending plan before the July 1 start of the fiscal year.
Questions raised during the presentation focused on ongoing special education cost pressures, transportation cost increases, and the district’s reliance on one-time funds as a bridge to 2026-27. Scavelli said the district has built replacement cycles for technology and planned additional staffing for English language learners and special education to match rising student needs.
Action: The board approved the 2025-26 preliminary budget as presented. A roll-call recorded eight yes votes and no negatives.
What's next: The administration will post the proposed budget for public inspection on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) site as required; the board will consider a final budget in June before implementing the fiscal year on July 1.
