Lower Moreland board votes down option to seek exemption above Act 1 tax index after extended debate

The Lower Moreland Board of School Directors voted 4–5 on Dec. 17, 2024, against adopting Resolution 2024-25-1, which would have committed the district to keep next year’s tax increase at or below the Act 1 index (4%). The roll-call vote recorded four yes votes and five no votes, so the resolution failed; a “no” vote would have allowed the district to pursue a referendum exception for special-education costs.

Why it matters: The outcome preserves the board’s option to apply to the state for a referendum exception tied to special-education expenditures, giving the district potential flexibility when preparing next year’s budget. Board discussion emphasized competing priorities: some members argued for budget restraint to limit taxpayer impact, while others said the district needs additional options to address capital and special-education pressures.

Board members debated the practical and fiscal trade-offs before the roll call. Supporters of retaining the option argued the district faces unusually large capital and service demands that could require more than the Act 1 index allows; they said keeping the exemption pathway available would preserve flexibility during the budget process. Opponents said sticking to the Act 1 index remained the more prudent choice to limit tax increases for residents and noted compounding impacts over multiple years.

The board took public and internal fiscal considerations into account during the discussion. Members asked administration staff about timing and next steps should the board choose to pursue an exemption: if the board had voted to adopt the resolution, the district would produce a preliminary budget in April and a final budget in June; voting the resolution down would shift preliminary-budget information to January and trigger an application to the state for a referendum exception, which the administration said it believed the district would qualify for based on its worksheet.

Roll-call result (as recorded by the board secretary): Mrs. Baker — Aye; Mr. Berardi — Yes; Ms. Blanton — No; Dr. John Butler — No; Miss Cannon — Yes; Miss Darien — No; Mr. Geiger — Yes; Dr. Lee — No; Mr. McKee — No. Total: 4 yes, 5 no. Because the motion to adopt the resolution failed, the board retains the option to seek the referendum exception for special education and related budget flexibility.

Board next steps: Administration and board members discussed options to continue reviewing capital and special-education needs as the budget process advances. The transcript shows the board intended to use the coming months of the budget calendar to further analyze funding paths and to consider non-tax alternatives the district might pursue, including state funding opportunities or other local revenue approaches.

The board moved on afterward to other agenda items, including calendar approvals and the general operating budget vote later in the meeting.