Twin Valley board adopts $77.6 million budget, approves tax and homestead resolutions and PFAS treatment at Robinson Elementary

The Twin Valley School District Board of Directors on June 16 adopted the district's final 2025'26 general fund budget and approved a package of tax and administrative measures, including a $16,700 contract to address PFAS at Robinson Elementary.

The final general fund budget for 2025'26 was presented as totaling $77,623,317 in both expenditures and revenues. The board approved the budget after brief discussion; one board member said they did not support the increase and raised concerns about taxpayer burden. The meeting record shows the budget motion passed following a roll-call vote.

The board also approved a homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution that district staff said will affect 5,848 properties across the district. Staff reported they are updating the district website with information and application details for residents who need assistance applying for the exclusion.

Separately, the board approved the district's final 2025'26 taxing resolution. Board materials and discussion described the taxing resolution as including real estate taxes (with a county-by-county breakdown for Berks and Chester counties), a 1% earned income (wage) tax (half of which is distributed to municipalities), and a 1% real estate transfer tax (also with half to municipalities). A board member asked about the average change and was told the average increase is approximately 1.8%.

On facilities and health matters, the board authorized a proposal from Skirban Water Technology to install a PFAS treatment system at Robinson Elementary for $16,700. Members discussed that a pump may be added as a follow-up item and that any additional related purchases would be returned to the board for approval.

The board approved board policy 707 (use of facilities) to take effect with the new fiscal year.

On personnel and labor matters the board accepted listed resignations and terminations, approved nominations for professional and support staff as presented, approved a change of status for a support staff member, and accepted a memorandum of understanding with the Twin Valley Education Association. Those personnel items were approved by voice or roll-call votes as noted in the meeting record.

Other routine business approved included minutes from prior meetings across the full board and several committees (finance, governance, instructional, technology), the treasurer's reports and transfer reports, and a capital deposit related to tennis court work. During the treasurer's report board members flagged a discrepancy in the expenditure percentage calculation and asked staff to correct it for the next report.

The board observed recognitions and public remarks honoring two long-serving administrative staff members, Scott and Rita, who are leaving the district; several board members and administrators spoke to their years of service.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting minutes) - Final 2025'26 general fund budget ($77,623,317): approved (roll call) - Policy 707, Use of Facilities: approved (roll call; board members recorded in the roll call included Michelle Jochenoff, Karen McGeord, Kyle Warren, Jay Oliver, Tracy Phillips and Elaine Johnson) - Homestead/Farmstead exclusion resolution (affecting 5,848 properties): approved (roll call) - Final 2025'26 taxing resolution (real estate taxes; 1% earned income tax; 1% real estate transfer tax): approved (roll call) - Skirban Water Technology proposal for PFAS treatment at Robinson Elementary ($16,700): approved (roll call) - Personnel: resignations accepted; nominations approved; change of status for support staff 2a approved - Memorandum of Understanding with Twin Valley Education Association: approved

Why it matters: the budget and taxing resolution set the district's spending and local tax structure for the coming school year; the homestead/farmstead exclusion affects property-tax relief eligibility for thousands of parcels; the PFAS treatment contract is a near-term health-and-safety remediation at an elementary school site.

What the record shows and what remains open: meeting minutes record approval of the items above and note staff will update the district website with homestead/farmstead application information and will return with any additional quotations or pump-related purchases tied to the Robinson Elementary water treatment. During the treasurer's report, board members asked staff to correct an identified calculation error in the expenditure/percent-to-date figures and to provide corrected numbers in the next packet.