Abington SD draft budget proposes 3.8% tax increase; board to seek voter approval for $285 million middle school referendum

The Abington Board of School Directors on March 11 reviewed an initial draft of the 2025–26 general fund budget that would raise the property tax millage from 37.07 to 38.55 mills, an increase the district calculated as roughly 3.86%. District business staff said the change would increase real-estate tax revenue by about $4,000,000 and raise total local revenue to an estimated $143,800,000 for 2025–26.

Why it matters: The draft ties near-term property-tax increases to the district's operating needs and to a planned May referendum that, if approved by voters, would fund a proposed $285,000,000 new middle school. Administrators said the referendum borrowing would be phased to match design and construction schedules and that debt service mills dedicated to the project would be structured so bond proceeds and related taxes are aligned with the project's cash needs.

District numbers and assumptions: Mr. Vittoria, who led the budget presentation, said the draft uses the Act 1 index to calculate the 4% allowable increase and that state, county and federal revenues are forecast using the latest guidance from the governor and PDE. He presented the…