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Harrisburg School Board adopts 2025–26 budget, raises millage 0.62 mills amid state funding uncertainty
Summary
After a detailed budget presentation and debate over state aid assumptions, the Harrisburg City School District board adopted a $213.1 million final general fund budget and a 31.4 mill rate (a 0.62‑mill, 2.01% increase). The vote followed discussion about projected state and federal revenues, budgetary reserves and longer‑term tax strategies.
The Harrisburg City School District board adopted its 2025–26 final general fund budget — $213,124,370 — and approved a millage rate of 31.4 mills (an increase of 0.62 mills, or 2.01%) at its June 24 meeting after a prolonged presentation and debate about state revenue assumptions.
The district’s budget presentation was delivered by Dr. Marcia Stokes, who walked board members through changes since the May proposal, including an unexpected $1.5 million increase in federal Title I funding and a $50,000 reimbursement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for technical support. Stokes told the board she had adjusted property tax revenue to reflect seven assessment appeal settlements and a certified decline in assessed value of $121 million (a 7.53% drop), and recommended the modest millage increase to preserve long‑term stability while relying partially on anticipated state aid.
Why it matters
Harrisburg depends heavily on state aid; Stokes said state sources represent roughly two‑thirds of the district’s revenues. Board discussion focused on how much of the governor’s…
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