Downingtown Area SD projects $2.1 million shortfall, proposes 3.9% tax increase to fund full‑day K and rising special‑ed costs

Superintendent Bruce O'Donnell and district finance staff told the Downingtown Area School District Board on March 12 that the district projects a $2,100,000 deficit for the 2025–26 school year and is proposing a 3.9% tax increase to reduce that shortfall.

The proposal would raise the average district homeowner's tax bill of about $5,700 by roughly $223 next year, district finance staff said. David Mattis, a member of the district finance staff who presented the budget details, said, “leaving us a deficit as of today, projected deficit of about $2,100,000.” Mattis also told the board that the 3.9% increase is already factored into that projection and that the district is continuing to identify expense reductions before the final budget vote in May.

The board heard that multiple revenue and expense pressures are driving the shortfall. The district reported about $2 million less than budgeted so far in current‑year real estate tax collections and $3.8 million in annualized losses from commercial property assessment appeals since 2021. Mattis said assessment appeals have affected up to 10% of the district’s commercial property value and that more appeals are expected.

Special education and charter‑school costs were highlighted as major expense drivers. The district reported nearly $43 million in special education spending in the latest full year and said it now projects…