Chambersburg Area SD board votes to advertise $213 million 2025-26 budget after debate over 2% vs. 3% tax increase

The Chambersburg Area School District Board of School Directors voted 9–0 to advertise the proposed 2025–26 general fund budget on April 22, approving a plan that lists $213,000,000 in expenditures and assumes a 3% tax increase.

The budget presentation was given by Tammy Stauffer, who described the proposal to advertise the district’s anticipated spending and revenue for the coming year. “Total expenditures of $213,000,000. Total revenue of $210,000. Does represent a budgetary reserve of $5,000,000 … with a 3% tax increase, projecting a slight deficit of $2,700,000,” Stauffer said during the board meeting. She added that the advertised budget is not final and that the board will vote on a final budget in June.

Board members debated whether to advertise at a 2% or 3% tax increase. Supporters of 3% said the larger increase gives the district more flexibility to build reserves and begin funding future debt service related to proposed major facilities projects. “I personally would rather see 3% this year rather than have to go to 5% next year,” one board member said, arguing a steadier increase would be preferable to a larger jump later. Opponents urged caution. One board member said she would not vote for anything above 2% and urged the board to avoid “tax and spend” perceptions.

Administrators described changes between the earlier 2% projection and the advertised 3% budget. Stauffer and other staff said moving from 2% to 3% added roughly $1 million in tax revenue but that other budget adjustments offset some of that gain. The administration reported reducing the capital reserve transfer by $2.5 million while increasing the healthcare transfer by $2 million and adding roughly $1 million to the debt service fund. Superintendent Mr. Bigger and budget staff emphasized that the governor’s proposed state budget and “adequacy” funding assumptions are included in the planning and that final state numbers (including homestead exclusion totals) will be available before the board’s June vote.

After discussion the board approved a motion to advertise the budget; the motion was made by Mrs. Gogler and seconded by Dr. Diller. The roll-call vote recorded nine ayes and no nays. Board members emphasized that advertising the budget does not finalize it and that adjustments remain possible before the June adoption vote.

Votes at a glance - Motion to advertise the proposed final 2025–26 general fund budget (expenditures $213,000,000): Motion by Mrs. Gogler; second by Dr. Diller. Roll-call vote: 9–0 in favor. Note: final adoption scheduled for June. - Capital reserve resolution (flexibility to allocate to capital reserve or future debt service): Approved (ayes have it) during the meeting; board discussion emphasized a preference among some members to prioritize debt service funding. - Second reading and approval of Policy 815.2 (website): Approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The advertised budget sets the public expectation for tax rates and for how the district will begin to finance a multi-hundred-million-dollar facilities program the board has been discussing. Advertising at 3% narrows the board’s options before the final June vote and drew public-facing debate among board members about the pace of tax increases and how much to prioritize building reserves versus funding immediate operations.

Board members asked the administration for additional detail on how “adequacy” and other state revenue assumptions will be spent (for example, how much of the state funds will be used for debt service, operations, or capital reserves). Administrators said they will provide those details and that homestead exclusion figures from the state and county will be available before the final vote in June.

The board also approved several consent-agenda items and the capital reserve resolution during the same meeting; those routine approvals were taken by voice vote or separate motions and are reflected in the minutes.