East Penn board approves proposed 2025–26 final budget after debate on priorities, tax increase

The East Penn School District Board of School Directors voted to adopt the proposed final budget for the 2025–26 school year and to publish the Pennsylvania Department of Education PDE‑2028 budget form after a public presentation and board discussion. The roll call recorded nine ayes.

Board members and administration framed the vote as a procedural step toward final adoption in June; administration presented the PDE‑2028 form required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and a companion long‑range fiscal plan. "This is the document that the board is being asked to approve," the administration said while reviewing the PDE‑2028 pages and supplemental schedules.

The administration and board exchanged detailed questions about the district's multi‑year outlook. Administration staff highlighted that the proposed budget stays within the Act 1 index (4%) and that the board package reflects changes to assumptions, including adjusted assessment growth (rounded to hundredths), modest changes to state basic education and special education subsidy assumptions, and a reduced projection for tuition reimbursement growth.

Board members raised concerns about the planned, multi‑year use of committed fund balance to pay for a technology infrastructure project. "When you get out to 2029, it starts to become pretty problematic," said Ms. Bowman, referencing projections that show a tightening fund balance and potential deficits in later years. Several members urged more community communication about recurring tax increases and recommended further refinement of the priorities list before final adoption.

Administration noted adjustments made to bring the budget within the 4% index: removal of the secondary instructional coach line item and a $100,000 band uniform purchase. "The secondary instructional coach expenditures have been removed as well as the band uniform expenditures ... to get us down to that 4% tax increase," the administrator explained. The administration also pointed to a scenario analysis that includes a 3% scenario that would remove the listed priorities; staff said each 1% of tax revenue approximates $1.2 million.

Board members emphasized tradeoffs. Mr. Smith said priorities should be ordered around student needs, and Dr. Whitney and others argued the band uniform investment has nonfinancial implications for student pride and public image and urged the board to reconsider restoring it in the future.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (April 14): passed, roll call 9 ayes. (motion to approve minutes) - Adoption of proposed final budget (PDE‑2028 form) and senior citizens real estate tax rebate program: passed, roll call 9 ayes. (procedural step toward final budget adoption in June) - Personnel agenda (routine hires and separations): passed, roll call 9 ayes. - Approval of contracts and agreements (business operations): passed, roll call 9 ayes. - Educational conferences (curriculum item A): passed, roll call 9 ayes.

Why it matters: The proposed final budget sets the district's revenue and spending plan and shows the district operating up to the Act 1 index. Board members said the multi‑year projections and planned use of reserves require clearer community communication and additional work before the June final adoption.

Board next steps: Administration will continue refining the long‑range plan and priorities; the board will consider the final budget for adoption in June. Several trustees requested additional materials and public‑facing explanations about why the tax increase was necessary and how priorities were ranked.

Ending: The board approved the proposed final budget as the required procedural step; administration and trustees signaled continued work on assumptions and community outreach ahead of final adoption.