Abington board posts proposed 2025–26 budget, authorizes public inspection and June adoption hearing

The Abington Board of School Directors on May 13 approved publication of the district's proposed final general fund budget for the 2025–26 school year and set a public adoption hearing for 7:30 p.m. June 24 in the administration building. The board also made the proposed budget available for inspection for at least 20 days before that meeting.

The proposed budget totals $204,914,426. Administrators said it assumes a 4% real estate tax increase — the maximum under Pennsylvania's Act 1 index without a referendum exception — raising the millage rate from 37.07 to 38.55 mills. District staff estimated that the increase would add about $208.87 to the tax bill on a home assessed at $141,130; after the Sterling Act credit the net impact on that homeowner would be $169.87.

District staff described the drivers of the budget. “The proposed final general fund budget is based on staff input, estimated and actual local, state and federal revenue with an increase in real estate taxes to reflect the 4% Act 1 index,” a district finance presenter said during the meeting. Administrators noted major upward pressure from projected employer retirement contributions to PSERS, which staff said is budgeted at roughly 34% for 2025–26 and accounts for a large share of the cost increase.

Why it matters: the board must adopt a final budget in June. The proposed plan uses a portion of the district's fund balance while aiming to preserve current programming; staff said the approach balances rising mandated costs with limited local and state revenue growth.

Most important details - Proposed final general fund budget: $204,914,426. - Real estate millage: proposed increase from 37.07 to 38.55 mills (4% Act 1 index). - Estimated tax impact on a $141,130 assessment: $208.87 increase; net $169.87 after Sterling Act credit, per staff presentation. - State retirement (PSERS) contribution: budgeted at about 34% for 2025–26; staff showed PSERS expense rising from $5.4 million (circa 2010) to roughly $34 million in 2025–26 in historical analysis. - Enrollment: staff reported a district enrollment decrease of about 204 students year-to-year; the district said it will manage staffing through attrition and retirements where appropriate. - Federal ESSER funds: staff said federal ESSER funding is winding down, producing a projected federal revenue decrease (~$687,000 year to year).

Board discussion and public questions focused on implementation details and impacts for taxpayers. Board members asked about whether the “non-salary/non-benefit” category included ESS substitute services; a district presenter replied that substitute-related costs are captured in that category. Board members also pressed for more information about the district's senior rebate take-up (staff reported 66 rebates to date, up from 29 in the first year) and about the residency verification process (the superintendent said about one to two dozen cases were addressed this year, not the larger figure cited in public comment).

District explanation and next steps District staff said revenues in the proposal reflect local, state and federal estimates, including governor-recommended state funding increases for basic education, special education and PSERS subsidy. The board approved advertising the proposed final budget and the June 24 adoption hearing; staff said they will continue to review the budget and welcome board feedback prior to final adoption.

The board's vote to advertise and set the adoption hearing was unanimous.

Ending The board will consider final adoption of the 2025–26 budget at its June 24 meeting after the required public inspection period. Staff warned that some numbers — specifically assessed values used to compute real estate collections — are not final until the county completes its June assessments and could change the revenue picture.