Pennsbury board adopts $263.2 million final budget, approves Act 34 hearing and authorizes maximum high‑school project figure

The Pennsbury School District Board of School Directors on June 18 adopted a $263,202,167 final general fund budget for fiscal year 2025–26, approved a real‑estate tax resolution that sets the millage rate at 204.003 (a 4% increase) and authorized an Act 34 public hearing and the maximum project and building construction amounts listed in the board motion for the proposed new Pennsbury High School.

The decisions followed the board’s final budget presentation by Business Administrator Chris Burdnick and routine committee reports. In a roll‑call vote the board approved the consent agenda that included the final budget and tax resolution by a 9–0 vote. Separately, the board authorized the high‑school Act 34 hearing date and the maximum project cost as presented; that motion passed 8 yes, 1 abstention (Miss Arons abstained).

Why it matters: the budget and the tax resolution set revenue and spending limits for the coming year and allow the district to advertise a required Act 34 public hearing tied to the proposed high‑school construction project. The Act 34 step is a statutory public‑hearing milestone under Pennsylvania law before major school construction can proceed.

Budget highlights presented Chris Burdnick told the board the district’s adopted budget will rely on a mix of property taxes, state and federal aid and a limited use of fund balance. The materials presented at the meeting and Burdnick’s remarks showed: the adopted general fund total of $263,202,167; salary and benefits account for roughly three‑quarters of the budget; special education expenditures show a year‑over‑year increase noted by Burdnick (to about $12.1 million in 2025–26, described as a 16.2% increase in the presentation); and a planned, ongoing use of fund balance of roughly $1.2 million.

Board action and votes - Final budget (consent agenda item 7e): motion to adopt the district’s proposed final budget on PDE form 2080‑28 in the amount of $263,202,167 — approved 9–0 (roll call recorded as all board members voting “Aye”). - Real‑estate tax resolution (consent agenda item 7f): motion to set the 2025–26 millage at 204.003 (stated in the motion materials as a 4% increase) — approved 9–0 as part of the consent agenda. - Homestead/farmstead exclusion and senior rebate program (consent agenda items 7g, 7h): approved as part of the consent agenda. - Act 34 and project authorization (agenda item 10a/10b): motion to authorize required advertising for the Act 34 hearing, set the hearing date (September 4) and to authorize the maximum project cost and the maximum building construction cost as included in the meeting materials — motion passed 8 yes, 1 abstain (Miss Arons abstained). The meeting materials and the board’s explanation list the maximum project and building figures; the motion explanation stated the maximum project cost and the maximum building construction cost in the documents provided to the board. - A set of pulled contract items (including a Bucks County Intermediate Unit agreement, psychology internship agreement and a Rothman Orthopedics agreement) were approved subject to solicitor review — approved 9–0.

Public comment and concerns Public comment at the meeting centered heavily on the proposed high‑school project and district finances. Multiple speakers raised questions about project cost estimates, the district’s debt capacity, and the timing of a construction referendum. Speakers included candidates and residents who urged the board to reconsider or delay the project and asked for greater financial transparency. Tim Daley and Robert Abrams, among others, warned of financial risk and said the district lacked sufficient capacity for the proposed project. Andrew Dell criticized district spending priorities and security measures. Several parents and a Penwood Middle School student said reassignments of music staff could put school theater productions at risk; the superintendent responded that Penwood plans to hold a musical next year but acknowledged the district had made difficult personnel assignment decisions.

District response and next steps Superintendent Doctor Smith (as introduced in the meeting) and staff said the Act 34 advertising motion is a required step in the public process; the board set the public hearing for Sept. 4. The administration also said the motion’s maximum project‑cost figure incorporates line‑by‑line inflation estimates and tariffs as reflected in the most recent construction estimates presented to the board.

Votes at a glance (selected items approved June 18) - Final 2025–26 general fund budget (form PDE 2080‑28): $263,202,167 — approved 9–0. - Real‑estate tax resolution (millage 204.003; 4% increase): approved 9–0. - Act 34 advertising and hearing date (Sept. 4) and authorization of maximum project/building cost as presented: approved 8 yes, 1 abstain. - Appointments and personnel (consent agenda): included appointment of Ryan Kennedy as principal of Walt Disney Elementary School — approved as part of consent agenda 9–0. - Selected contracts/agreements (consent agenda and pulled items): includes renewal/agreements with Bucks County Intermediate Unit for special‑education services, psychology internship agreements, and a Rothman Orthopedics sports‑medicine agreement; several were approved subject to solicitor review (9–0 where recorded).

What the board did not do The board tabled the Penwood Targeted School Improvement (TSI) plan until August for posting and compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education timing requirements.

Context and community impact Board materials and the June 18 presentation show continued budget pressure from rising personnel costs, special‑education expenses, utilities and charter tuition. Several residents said the district should pause the high‑school project until financing is clearer; others raised concerns about maintenance backlogs and long‑standing deferred maintenance. The board and administration emphasized that the Act 34 step is procedural and that more public review and comment will occur at the scheduled hearing. The district also said staff will follow up on a parent request about middle‑school bus service for a neighborhood (the board asked staff to respond to the parent’s inquiry).

Ending note Board members and staff thanked outgoing Business Administrator Chris Burdnick for his service; Burdnick delivered his final budget presentation to the board before the personnel transition process continues. The board’s adoption of the budget and the Act 34 advertising motion set the district’s financial plan for the coming year and triggered the public hearing process for the proposed high‑school project.