Wallingford‑Swarthmore district readies high‑school renovation procurement as Act 1 index set at 3.5%

Dr. Justin Johnson, superintendent of the Wallingford‑Swarthmore School District, said the Pennsylvania Act 1 index for 2026 is confirmed at 3.5%, a limit he described as a constraint on the district27s revenue options for next year. "We now know that that number is confirmed. So the maximum that taxes could be increased is to 3.5%," Johnson told the board.

Johnson said the district is balancing fixed costs—salary increases required by updated contracts and operational items such as a rebid of cleaning services—alongside curriculum investments and planned capital work at Strathaven High School. He described those combined pressures as placing "quite a lot of pressure" on next year27s budget and said the district is following a four‑phase budget calendar intended to bring a final budget to the board in May.

On the high‑school renovation, Johnson said nine firms responded to the district27s request for proposals. Board members, staff and students visited school sites designed by finalist firms, and the superintendent said student feedback played an important role in evaluating candidates. The district included an addendum to the RFP asking firms to provide cost proposals tied to three project‑size scenarios — $50 million, $65 million and $80 million — so the district can weigh scope against affordability.

Johnson said the administration expects to recommend a limited architectural contract at the November facilities and finance meeting that would allow the district to begin deeper community engagement and schematic work while continuing to refine the project scope to match budget realities. He emphasized that the initial contract would not commit the district to the full construction scope until the board reviews cost estimates and funding assumptions.

The superintendent said the district will continue budget discussions in committee and at future board meetings, and that timing improvements set by the board are intended to support hiring and contract decisions tied to the fiscal calendar.

Context: Act 1 refers to Pennsylvania27s school district tax‑rate index used to compute the maximum allowed local tax increase without voter referendum. Johnson presented the index figure and procurement schedule; no binding financing decision or contract award was taken at the Oct. 27 meeting.