Downingtown Area SD presents balanced 2025-26 budget; 3.9% millage increase proposed

Superintendent Dr. O'Donnell and district budget staff on Wednesday presented a balanced fiscal 2025‑26 general fund budget to the Downingtown Area School District board and proposed a 3.9% increase in the district millage rate to 31.91 mills. The board’s final vote on the budget and related tax resolutions is scheduled for the board meeting next week.

The administration said the district closed an earlier projected deficit through a combination of staff reassignments, other personnel savings and revenue refinements, and by budgeting conservatively for uncertain state aid. “Spoiler alert, we have a balanced budget, so, we no longer have a deficit,” budget presenter Dave Mattis told the board.

The proposal would fund implementation of full‑day kindergarten in August 2025 and new special‑education staff. Mattis said the district plans to hire between eight and 14 kindergarten teachers and a similar number of paraprofessionals, plus four additional special‑education teachers (three autistic‑support and one life‑skills teacher). The total cost of the new positions and reassignments the administration described for those needs is about $2.2 million.

Why it matters: The board must adopt a final budget and set the real‑estate tax rate before the levy is certified. The administration tied its staffing requests and classroom priorities to the district’s ability to maintain services and to shifting revenue trends.

Key figures…